G7 unites behind Ukraine at Evian summit: Trump pledges renewed oil sanctions, UK to supply enriched uranium

A joint declaration and more weapons for Kyiv

G7 leaders approved a common statement in the early hours of Wednesday, 17 June, declaring themselves "united in our unwavering support for Ukraine". The text, released after a working session attended by Volodymyr Zelensky, promises to "increase pressure on Russia's war economy" and to strengthen sanctions, explicitly targeting oil and gas sectors. The group also committed to accelerating deliveries of air defence systems, additional interceptors and long-range strike capabilities, as well as exploring licences for Ukraine to expand its own military production.

“This G7 is a moment of strategic awakening where all together – the United States, Japan, Canada, the Europeans – we decided to act in concert alongside Ukraine, to defend our unity, the values we believe in and the current situation.”

Trump reverses course on Russian oil

Donald Trump, who until recently had focused on the confrontation with Iran, used the summit to signal a shift. Citing the US-Iran accord reached on 15 June, he said oil would now "flow freely", allowing Washington to restore penalties that had been suspended to keep crude prices in check. "We will soon be able to reimpose sanctions," he told reporters, without giving a precise timeline. The announcement immediately rattled Moscow's market: Russian energy stocks fell on Tuesday, dragging the country's main bourse to its lowest level in a year.

“The only reason I'm getting involved is that I don't like seeing 25,000 young people die every month, every month 25,000 people die, young people, they're just starting their lives. They go to that front and they get pulverised, and Ukraine is also losing a lot of people.”

British enriched uranium for Ukraine's nuclear plants

Alongside the sanctions drive, the UK announced a concrete energy deal. Downing Street said £210 million (€243 million) in export finance would enable the British company Urenco to supply enriched uranium to Ukraine's state nuclear operator Energoatom. Keir Starmer framed the move as part of a broader effort to "choke off the resources fuelling Putin's war and provide energy to Ukraine for the winters to come."

“We will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes and this announcement reinforces that.”

Russian economy and battlefield strain

The sanctions threat arrived at a fragile moment for Russia. Ukrainian drone strikes have repeatedly hit refineries, ports and fuel depots deep inside Russian territory. On 16 June, a drone struck a refinery near Moscow, while Russian bombardments on Kyiv and other cities killed at least 11 people on the day the summit opened. The Kremlin's oil output has now fallen for six consecutive months, eroding a key source of budget revenue. On the front, after winter gains, Russian forces are no longer advancing; Kyiv claims to have retaken nearly 600 km² since the start of the year.

“We have to be ready to put more pressure on Vladimir Putin to end this war.”

A show of unity, and a "boss" moment

Behind closed doors, the mood among European leaders brightened. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had not spoken to Trump for weeks after criticism over the Iran war, said the discussions gave him "a certain sense of optimism". Trump, who often shuns multilateral gatherings, signed the joint statement and held a 70-minute meeting with Zelensky. Not all his moments were diplomatic: arriving last for a development session on Wednesday, he paused at the head of the table and announced, "I am the boss," drawing laughter before taking his seat.