G7 reiterates support for Ukraine’s defense and financial needs

G7 reiterates support for Ukraine

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE— The G7 reiterates support for Ukraine’s defense, addressing its urgent short-term funding needs and long-term reconstruction. Germany will host the Ukraine reconstruction conference in Berlin this year, while Italy will host the conference in 2025.

Key Concepts

• The G7 reiterated support for Ukraine’s defense, addressing short-term funding and long-term reconstruction.
• Germany will host a Ukraine reconstruction conference this year, with Italy hosting it in 2025.
• The U.S. committed to helping Ukraine defend against Russian aggression, including attacks on energy infrastructure.
• Concerns were raised about a potential nuclear accident following an attack on a Ukrainian nuclear power plant.
• Secretary of State Blinken emphasized the urgency for Congress to act on aid to Ukraine.
• The Republican-controlled House is expected to vote on aid to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region.
• German Foreign Minister Baerbock praised the U.S. Republican Party for its support of Ukraine.
• NATO is working to provide additional air defense systems to Ukraine.
• The G7 finance ministers discussed providing financial support to Ukraine until 2027.
• They are working with the EU to offer stable and sustainable funding for Ukraine’s needs, including investment and financing.
• The World Bank estimated Ukraine’s total recovery and reconstruction needs to reach nearly $486 billion over 10 years.

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ talks on the Italian island of Capri that the United States was committed to helping Kyiv defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia’s ongoing aggression, including recent attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

The recent attack on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in Ukraine has raised concerns that a major nuclear accident could occur.

Blinken also stressed the urgency for Congress to act on aid to Ukraine.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is expected to hold a long-anticipated vote as early as Saturday on aid to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told a news conference: “In this turbulent time, it is a hopeful sign that the Republican Party in the United States has now sent a signal that it can continue to strongly support Ukraine. “

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Kuleba subsequently participated in a G7 foreign ministers meeting focused on support for Ukraine.

Stoltenberg said the alliance was actively working to provide more air defense systems as soon as possible.

In Washington, G7 finance ministers completed talks earlier this week on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group.

The G7 finance ministers said in a statement that they were working with the EU to “provide stable, predictable and sustainable financial support” to meet some of Ukraine’s funding needs until 2027, including supporting investment and providing financing.

The statement stated: “We reaffirm our commitment to support Ukraine’s long-term recovery and reconstruction needs, which the World Bank currently estimates will reach nearly $486 billion over 10 years.”