G7 to increase pressure on Russia with new sanctions

The Group of Seven said it would strengthen sanctions on Russia, including measures targeting the oil and gas sectors, while increasing deliveries of air defence capabilities, additional systems and interceptors, as well as long-range weapons to Ukraine. 

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has met with leaders on the sidelines of the summit to lobby for additional sanctions to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.

The G7 - comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States - said the additional support would build on what it described as new momentum generated by Ukrainian progress on the battlefield in recent months. 

"We consider this the right moment to proceed with additional measures, as President Trump has delivered a deal that we support in reopening the Strait of Hormuz," the statement said.