US blocks mention of Russian aggression in G7 statement

US blocks mention of Russian aggression in G7 statement

There is currently intense diplomatic back and forth between the member states of the Group of Seven (G7) over a joint declaration on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The United States refuses to refer to “Russian aggression” in the document.

Diplomatic tensions among G7 countries

The dispute, known to two Western officials, reflects a sea change in the White House's approach to the conflict. President Donald Trump has blamed the war on Ukraine and called its wartime president a “dictator.”

Contrast between Trump and Biden

These statements are in stark contrast to the position of the Biden administration and its G7 allies, who have described the war very differently over the past three years. The group is planning a virtual meeting next week to mark the anniversary of the invasion, but Washington's reluctance to blame Russia for the conflict could threaten the West's resolve as the war enters its fourth year.

Use of the term “Russian aggression”

The term “Russian aggression” has been used in G7 statements since the conflict began, as has the term “illegal aggressive warfare.” The group has acted as a sort of steering committee to mobilize support for Kyiv.

Resistance in Washington

Now Washington officials have expressed concerns about how the war is portrayed in the document. Trump has also suggested that Russia be readmitted to the G7 after being expelled over its annexation of Crimea in 2014. According to the information, the US government is reluctant to use language that blames Russia for the war, while other states in the group emphasize that any weakening of the statement would mean a victory for Moscow.

Further discussions and concerns

“Discussions are still ongoing,” said one of the officials. “However, there are major concerns about relativizing responsibility for the war.” TheFinancial Timesfirst reported on the ongoing talks.

Reactions from the White House

The White House did not respond to a request for comment, but U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz said in a press briefing that the president remained angry with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a day after he accused him of being a dictator.

Trump and responsibility for the war

“President Trump is obviously very frustrated with President Zelensky,” he said. "The fact that he didn't come to the negotiating table and wasn't willing to take advantage of the opportunity that we offered - I think he'll get to that point eventually, and I hope it happens very quickly. But President Trump, as we've made clear to our Russian counterparts, he's focused on stopping the fighting and moving forward."

Trump is putting pressure on Ukraine

Trump has repeatedly emphasized this week that Ukraine, not Russia, is responsible for the conflict. "Think about it: A moderately successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelensky, got the United States to spend $350 billion to enter a war that couldn't be won," he wrote on social media Wednesday.

Reactions from Europe

Other Western leaders quickly distanced themselves from this position. French President Emmanuel Macron, who will meet Trump at the White House on Monday, said he wanted to warn his U.S. counterpart "not to be weak in the face" of Putin.

Preparations for the visit to Washington

"I know Donald Trump. We [both] were in power for four years during my first term. He is someone I respect and who I believe respects me," Macron said. He added that he had contacted Zelensky on two consecutive days to coordinate his upcoming visit to Washington.

US efforts for peace

In Kiev, Trump's envoy to Russia and Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, met Zelensky to discuss U.S.-led efforts to end the war. He was there, among other things, to persuade Zelensky to agree to American proposals that would offer the United States revenue from Ukrainian minerals as payment for past support.

Anger over Zelensky's rejection

Zelensky's refusal to accept the plan angered the White House. Trump's aides accused the Ukrainian leader of not sufficiently appreciating American support. “There has to be a deep understanding of what the American people, what the American taxpayer, what President Trump did in his first term and what we have done since,” Waltz said. “Some of the rhetoric coming out of Kiev and the insults directed at President Trump were unacceptable.”