G7 leaders unite to raise pressure on Russia, Trump hints at renewed oil sanctions as Zelenskyy urges Putin to negotiate

G7 leaders present a united front on Ukraine

Leaders of the G7 and the European Union met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit in Évian‑les‑Bains and agreed to step up pressure on the Kremlin. According to Italian diplomatic sources the group was "very united" and sent a "message of unity to Zelenskyy." The session produced three clear elements: continued and if possible increased pressure on Moscow, stronger energy support (Italy is committing €30‑35 million), and bolstered air‑defence assistance. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke of a "window for diplomacy" while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck an optimistic tone, declaring that the dynamic in the war had shifted.

The tide is turning for Ukraine.

Trump says US ready to resume oil sanctions

US President Donald Trump signalled that Washington is prepared to reimpose sanctions on Russian oil exports, which were relaxed earlier to avoid hurting global crude markets during the Iran conflict. Meeting UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed al‑Nahyan on the sidelines, Trump told reporters, "We took sanctions off because obviously we're not looking to impede the oil. But we're in a position to do that soon." The shift comes as oil is now "flowing freely," according to the US president, removing the earlier concern about price spikes. European officials confirmed that the G7 had agreed to raise economic pressure, particularly through oil and gas sanctions.

Russia should make a deal.

Zelenskyy proposes a US meeting with Putin

Zelenskyy revealed that he had suggested to Trump a trilateral meeting on American soil, arguing that the format would make it "much harder for Putin to refuse, at least in front of President Trump." Previous offers to meet anywhere that concrete decisions could be taken were rejected by Moscow. The Ukrainian leader said that if Russia also turns down the US‑based proposal, "further pressure will be necessary." Trump, who spoke by phone with both Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin on the Sunday before the summit, struck a cautious note: "Maybe we can do something. They are both open."

We suggested to Trump that such a meeting could be organised in the United States, in a format that would make it much harder for Putin to refuse.

UK, Canada and the EU roll out fresh sanctions

Several G7 members announced new punitive measures against Moscow even as the summit was underway. On Monday the United Kingdom imposed 70 additional sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, defence‑industry supply chains, and illicit financial networks used to circumvent previous restrictions. Canada followed suit after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Zelenskyy, placing 162 individuals, entities, and vessels on its sanctions list, described as "all assets of the Russian war machine." The European Commission last week presented its 21st sanctions package, which includes a proposal to freeze the price cap on Russian oil purchases at $44 per barrel. France, Britain, and Italy have also seized tankers belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet, and Berlin was urged to participate with its own navy in interdicting suspicious vessels.

Renewed Western optimism about Ukraine’s battlefield position

Behind the diplomatic push is a revised assessment of the military situation. German sources said the front line had "clearly developed in Ukraine’s favour" and that Russia could not win the war. Von der Leyen contrasted the current situation with 2025, noting that while Ukraine was holding the front, Russia’s exhaustion was openly visible. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed the sentiment, saying there was "a real consensus in the room among the G7 that sanctions are genuinely biting, given that Ukraine is having success and retaking territory." The summit also agreed further military aid, especially for air defence. Meanwhile, Ukraine continued to strike deep inside Russian territory: on Tuesday a drone hit a refinery near Moscow, underlining the changed dynamics that G7 leaders are betting on to force the Kremlin to the negotiating table.