The Russian strike on a shopping centre in Kremenchuk cast a sombre shadow over the last day of the G7 summit; a reminder perhaps for the leaders here of just what, or rather who, they’re dealing with.
Vladimir Putin, they said, would be held accountable (though exactly how remains unclear) but they’ve pledged to not rest until Russia ends its war.
To that end, they’ve promised to support Ukraine in its defence, promising more money, more humanitarian aid, more weapons and military support (although there is little detail of exactly what will be given and when).
They’ve promised too, to coordinate further sanctions, though some proposals, including a potential cap on the price of Russian oil, appear to have failed to gain consensus support, with leaders agreeing only to ‘explore’ the measure in their final statement.
Leaders are painfully conscious of the global consequences of the war – not least because it’s exacerbating a cost of living crisis which is hitting their citizens hard – so pledges to secure energy and global food supplies were unsurprising.
The war in Ukraine has dominated what, in different times, would have been a summit focused on climate change and tackling global inequality.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz got a pledge to establish his proposed ‘climate club’ (which would see countries sign up to targets in return for economic support and incentives) by the end of the year but no commitment from each G7 country to join in.
It’s not just the city of Kremenchuk, where the shopping centre was attacked, that is causing immmediate concern today in Ukraine.
The city of Lysychansk is “turning into rubble”, officials in the region say, after a Russian missile attack killed eight civilians.
A total of 21 other people were injured in the attack as they gathered to collect drinking water.
Lugansk region governor Sergiy Gaiday says on Telegram: “Our defenders are holding the line, but the Russians are turning the city into rubble… the infrastructure is completely destroyed.”
Lysychansk has become the focus of heavy Russian attacks following the fall of its twin city, Severodonetsk, at the weekend.
Source-BBC
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