G7 urgently meets with Zelensky after Russian bombing of Ukraine | News | T.W.

The G7 powers will hold an emergency meeting this Tuesday (10.11.2022) with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the latest Russian bombing campaign in Ukraine, which hit the capital Kiev on Monday (10.10.2022). Zelensky is expected to brief the leaders of the world’s seven industrialized nations on the attacks and the current situation. According to the Ukrainian president, the Russian attacks have two central objectives: to destroy the energy infrastructure and to cause enormous damage to the people of his country.

Russian forces fired more than 80 missiles at Ukrainian cities, according to Kyiv, a key strategic point for Russia, in apparent retaliation for the explosion that damaged a bridge linking the Crimean peninsula to Russia. At least 19 people were killed and 105 injured in the attack. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the attacks showed Moscow was “desperate” after a series of military setbacks. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of “tough” responses to the new attacks.

German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said on Monday that President Olaf Scholz had spoken with Zelensky and pledged “solidarity between Germany and the other G7 countries”. Germany currently chairs the G7.

Other states in the bloc also condemned the violence and expressed their solidarity with Ukraine. British Prime Minister Liz Truss’ office indicated the leader would “press her colleagues to stay the course”. “For our part, we must not waver in our determination to help Ukraine achieve peace,” the Truss office added.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden strongly condemned the attacks on Monday, saying they “demonstrate the brutality” of Putin’s “illegal war”. The White House said Biden spoke with Zelensky about providing an “enhanced air defense system.”

Since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, more than 7.6 million Ukrainians have fled to Europe, while another 7 million have been displaced within the country. The UN refugee agency warned that Monday’s attacks could trigger a new wave of migration. “Indiscriminate shelling of civilians, homes… and non-military infrastructure in many cities in Ukraine means that the war has become increasingly difficult for civilians,” said the UN refugee agency. High Commissioner Filippo Grandi said. “I fear that the events of the last few hours are going to cause further displacement,” he said.

ies (ef, afp)