Reports

The US administration under President Donald Trump has reportedly refused to support a G7 statement condemning the recent Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy. According to Bloomberg sources, the G7, led by Canada this year, had drafted a joint statement condemning the attack, but did not publish it due to lack of US support. The statement’s draft, which Bloomberg has seen, stated that the attack proved Russia’s determination to continue hostilities. However, Trump’s staff reportedly told the group that they could not sign the statement as they are working to “protect the space to negotiate peace.” Since Trump took office in January, he has been pushing for both Moscow and Kiev to come to the negotiating table and has resumed direct contacts with Moscow to facilitate a peace deal. During the Ukraine conflict, Moscow has consistently stated that it never targets civilian infrastructure. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently emphasized that Russia only attacks military targets. Russian representatives also stressed that Moscow remains open to a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict, but any resolution must address the root causes. Moscow’s demands still include the demilitarization and denazification of Kiev, abandoning NATO ambitions, adopting a neutral stance and recognizing the “local realities.