G7 Unable to Reach Consensus on Ukraine Statement; U.S. Shifts Toward Pro-Russia Position

The Yomiuri Shimbun

14:24 JST, March 1, 2025

The Group of Seven is planning to forgo issuing a joint leaders’ statement following a Feb. 24 video conference that marked three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to Japanese government sources.

This appears to be due to difficulties in coordinating wording with the United States, which has been strengthening its pro-Russia stance.

“As of now, a statement has not been issued,” Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said at a press conference on Friday. “We want to work closely with the international community, including the G7, to achieve a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

In both 2023 and 2024, the G7 countries also held video conferences on Feb. 24 and issued joint leaders’ statements that included provisions for the G7 to continue supporting Ukraine and sanctioning Russia, as well as demanding that Russia stop its aggression.

In addition to Japan and the United States, the G7 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany and Italy.