G7 leaders discuss support for Ukraine, mark VE Day

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Source: AP

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders from other Group of Seven countries were holding talks Sunday with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss support for Ukraine and to display unity among Western allies on Victory in Europe Day, which marks Nazi Germany’s surrender in 1945.

Ahead of the call, U.K. officials said Britain will provide an extra 1.3 billion pounds ($1.6 billion) in military support to Ukraine to help the nation defend itself against Russian forces.

The funding, which comes from British government reserves, includes 300 million pounds of military kit promised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this week, such as radar systems to target Russian artillery, GPS jamming equipment and night vision devices.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a surprise visit to Ukraine, touring the northern town of Irpin, which had been heavily damaged by Russia’s attempt to take the capital of Kyiv at the start of the war. The mayor on Sunday posted images of Trudeau on social media, saying that the Canadian leader was shocked by the damage he saw at civilian homes.



This image provided by the Irpin Mayor's Office shows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walking with mayor Oleksandr Markushyn, right, in Irpin, Ukraine, Sunday, May 8, 2022. Trudeau made a surprise visit to Irpin on Sunday. The city was severely damaged during Russia’s attempt to take Kyiv at the start of the war. (Irpin Mayor's Office via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-biden-boris-johnson-technology-db603318cb799f38dce144d29672800a

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1. G7 Nations Pledge to Ban or Phase Out the Import of Russian Oil

Leaders of the Group of 7 nations pledged during a virtual meeting on Sunday with President Volodymyr Zelensky to ban or phase out Russian oil, aiming to still further erode Russia’s economic standing as it pursues its invasion of Ukraine.

The group did not provide details but said in a statement that the plans would be enforced in a “timely and orderly fashion, and in ways that provide time for the world to secure alternative supplies.”

Oil bans are a two-edged sword. Oil is a top export for Russia, and Moscow would almost certainly sustain a big economic blow should it be banned, but parts of Europe are heavily dependent on its oil and thus are also vulnerable.

The United States, which imported a relatively small amount of energy resources from Russia, has already banned the import of Russian oil and gas.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/g7-nations-pledge-to-ban-or-phase-out-the-import-of-russian-oil/ar-AAX2HDk