The G7 promised aid to Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia

G7 countries pledged support for Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia after a virtual meeting to mark the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion.
In a statement after the meeting, which was also attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the leaders promised to "raise the price" of Russia's war against Ukraine.
The G7 leaders did not make a public statement on further military aid to Ukraine, but called for "the approval of additional support to address Ukraine's remaining budget deficit for 2024."
"We will continue to raise the cost of Russia's war, reduce Russia's sources of revenue and impede its efforts to build its military machine," the G7 leaders said.
They called on Iran to stop helping the Russian military and expressed concern about the transfer by Chinese enterprises of weapons components, military equipment and dual-use materials to Moscow.
Finally, G7 leaders asked Russia to "fully clarify the circumstances" surrounding the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The most prominent critic of the Putin regime, died in an Arctic prison last week under mysterious circumstances.
After a week-long stay, Navalny's body was finally handed over to his mother, the dissident's team said.
Zelensky used the meeting to call for more support for his embattled military forces.
"You know very well all that we need to keep our skies protected, to strengthen our army on land, and you know all that we need to maintain and continue our successes at sea. And you know very well that all we need this in time, and we count on you," said the Ukrainian president.
The G-7 meeting was hosted from Kiev by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as Italy is the rotating chairman of the group.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and EC chief Ursula von der Leyen were also in Kyiv for the anniversary and attended the meeting in person
It was the first meeting of the G-7 under the Italian presidency.
Meloni flew to Poland and then traveled by train to Kiev.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Giornale, she explained the reasons for going to Kiev.
"Italy, Europe and the West must continue to support Kiev because defending Ukraine means preventing war, protecting our national interests and preventing the collapse of the rules-based international order," Meloni said.
"We believe in the European future of Ukraine," she added, referring to Kiev's feverish efforts to join the European Union.
Within the framework of the meeting, bilateral security agreements were signed between Ukraine, Italy and Canada./BGNES