Photo:Office of the President
On the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an important meeting with the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer. The leaders discussed ways to achieve a just and lasting peace, strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities, and coordinate sanctions pressure on Russia. This was reported bythe President’s press service at .
Air defence is a priority
President Zelenskyy has outlined Ukraine’s top priority need to strengthen its air defence. Russian attacks are becoming more widespread and cynical, and Ukraine needs not only air defence systems but also missiles to effectively protect civilians.
“What Russia is doing now shows that Moscow does not want the war to end. Therefore, the world’s response must be decisive,” Zelenskyy stressed.
Sanctions: focused and coordinated
The parties agreed that only coordinated sanctions pressure will force Russia to the negotiating table on the terms of a just peace. Zelenskyy proposed to coordinate sanctions within the G7, with a focus on:
- the energy sector of the Russian Federation,
- the banking system,
- a shadow fleet that circumvents restrictions,
- military-industrial complex.
Arms production and NATO
Zelenskyy and Starmer also discussed:
- expanding the coalition of willing countries that support Ukraine;
- joint projects in the field of arms production, which will allow Ukraine to become less dependent on external supplies;
- preparations for the NATO summit in The Hague, where both sides are seeking to reach concrete decisions on guarantees for Ukraine’s security and integration.
