G7 leaders agreed to impose new sanctions on Russia Friday at their annual summit. G7 leaders stated that their countries are prepared to “starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine” and will continue their sanctions on petroleum, metals, and diamonds, which Russia has exported to fund its war. Though the leaders committed to new sanctions, they said they will continue to shield “agricultural, medical, and humanitarian supplies” from their sanctions.
In addition to announcing new sanctions, G7 leaders’ statement urged Russia to stop its ongoing aggression in Ukraine. In their statement, G7 leaders mentioned a prior joint commitment from G20 members’ 2022 summit in Bali, which affirmed that “the use or threat of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.” The commitment stated, “The peaceful resolution of conflicts, efforts to address crises, as well as diplomacy and dialogue, are vital. Today’s era must not be of war.” Russia was a party to this statement, despite having invaded Ukraine nine months prior.
The leaders also agreed that Russia must pay for the “long-term reconstruction of Ukraine” and that the leaders will continue to support the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into Russian war crimes, including the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, and the massacre of Ukrainian people.
A recent dispatch from one of JURIST’s Ukrainian correspondents described Russia’s ongoing war for Ukrainians as “the reality of their everyday [lives].” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to appear before the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, this weekend to discuss this reality and gain commitments for additional support from the seven countries.