Zelensky, connected remotely, pleaded with G7 members to continue with support for the armed forces and the Ukrainian people as they grapple with the harshest winter ever. More than 40 percent of the power plants were destroyed by Russian bombing that never stopped hitting the strategic centers of the country.
The G7 leaders confirmed their intention to continue helping Kiev as long as necessary by condemning the unacceptable and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric that Russia continues to threaten with the use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons: “We will continue to coordinate efforts to meet Ukraine's urgent demands for military and defense equipment, with an immediate focus on providing Ukraine with air defense systems and capabilities.".
"Our unity, our decision, has ensured that today the Russian president is completely isolated“, reported the German chancellor Olaf Scholz. G7 governments have also said they are determined that Russia will eventually have to pay for the restoration of crucial infrastructure damaged or destroyed by its brutal war, explaining there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities.
The G7 leaders have firmly declared that they will seek a trial and damages from President Putin and those responsible for the violations perpetrated during the conflict, in accordance with international law.
Putin, faced with increasingly evident internal problems, has decided to cancel the usual end-of-year press conference. It hasn't happened since he's been in office. The news was given by Kremlin spokesman Peskov: “The press conference will not take place before the new year. Let's hope the president finds other opportunities to speak with reporters".
Last Sunday Joe Biden assured Zelensky that he wanted to continue collaborating, welcoming the Ukrainian president's openness to a peace based on the fundamental principles sealed by the United Nations Charter.
The European Union, on the other hand, is still unable to square the ninth package of sanctions which should hit people and companies, including three banks, close to Putin's regime. Meanwhile, Russia has rejected Cardinal Pietro Parolin's proposal to host talks between Moscow and Kiev at the Vatican.