Group of Seven leaders have condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s deadly missile strikes across Ukraine and denounced Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s plans to deploy his own military forces in the country.
In a 13-point joint statement, G-7 leaders promised to hold Putin accountable for his “indiscriminate” attacks on “innocent civilian populations,” contending they “constitute a war crime.”
WORLD AWAITS BIDEN’S RESPONSE AS PUTIN UNLEASHES MISSILE STRIKES ON UKRAINE
“We deplore deliberate Russian escalatory steps, including the partial mobilization of reservists and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, which is putting global peace and security at risk,” the group said Monday. “We reaffirm that any use of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences.”
After their 90-minute emergency meeting, G-7 leaders pledged their “undeterred” and “steadfast” financial, humanitarian, military, diplomatic, and legal aid, particularly to help Ukraine with “its winter preparedness needs.” They also implored Belarus to “stop enabling” Russia by permitting Russian forces to use its territory.
“The announcement of a joint military group with Russia constitutes the most recent example of the Belarusian regime’s complicity with Russia,” G-7 leaders said. “We renew our call on the Lukashenko regime to fully abide by its obligations under international law.”
In addition to the statement, President Joe Biden also tweeted about the teleconference: “This morning, I spoke with President [Volodymyr] Zelensky and G7 Leaders about our unwavering commitment to hold Russia accountable for its war and support Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
This morning, I spoke with President Zelenskyy and G7 Leaders about our unwavering commitment to hold Russia accountable for its war and support Ukraine for as long as it takes. pic.twitter.com/SzXLWyjjeq
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 11, 2022
Zelensky reportedly told G-7 leaders, many with whom he spoke before the meeting, that Russia would only be thwarted when Ukraine receives “sufficient” air defense weapons and equipment from its allies and partners. He ruled out peace deal talks with Putin and asked for an international monitoring mission along his Belarusian border.
“Russia is trying to directly draw Belarus into this war, playing a provocation that we are allegedly preparing an attack on this country,” he said, according to reports.
Zelensky warns the G7 that Russia is trying to drag Belarus into the Ukraine War:
“Russia is trying to directly draw Belarus into this war, playing a provocation that we are allegedly preparing an attack on this country”
— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) October 11, 2022
Ukraine intercepted another 20 cruise missiles and 13 “kamikaze drones” overnight, relying mostly on Soviet-era weapons and equipment, according to the country’s Air Force Command. Russia’s barrage of air- and sea-based missiles is being supplemented by Iranian drones, Ukraine claims.
But Tuesday night’s onslaught was less severe than its Monday counterpart, in which Ukraine says 84 missiles were launched, but 43 were shot down, as well as another 26 Shahed-136 drones. The attack, which killed at least 19 people and injured more than 100, affected at least 10 areas across the country, even the capital Kyiv.
Biden and Zelensky are among those who spoke earlier this week, the U.S. president conveying his condolences for Monday’s strikes.
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“President Biden pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems,” the White House said Monday. “He also underscored his ongoing engagement with allies and partners to continue imposing costs on Russia, holding Russia accountable for its war crimes and atrocities, and providing Ukraine with security, economic, and humanitarian assistance.”
