Reports indicate Washington vetoed a suggested declaration amid worries it might threaten the Ukraine peace process.
A joint statement on the Ukraine situation was not released by G7 leaders following their recent meeting in Canada because the US declined to approve it unless it was weakened, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and other news sources.
The summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, took place from Sunday to Tuesday. US President Donald Trump departed early and did not meet with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who was also present.
On Tuesday, the CBC quoted an unnamed official from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office as admitting that plans for a group statement on Ukraine had been abandoned.
The US reportedly objected to language referencing Russia, fearing it could undermine US-led diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
The Canadian PM’s office later disputed these reports, with spokesperson Emily Williams asserting that “no proposed joint statement regarding Ukraine was distributed. Canada’s intention was always for the important language to be a part of the G7 Chairs’ Summary Statement, and it was.”
Carney’s summary statement noted that the “G7 leaders expressed support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and supported Kiev’s demand for “an unconditional ceasefire.”
Russia has consistently rejected Ukraine’s sudden demand, dismissing it as a tactic to allow Ukrainian forces to regroup and replenish supplies.
According to Carney, the G7 is “resolute in exploring all options to maximize pressure on Russia, including financial sanctions.”
Commenting on the summit on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the event as “rather unremarkable and meaningless.”
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