G7 defence ministers today reaffirmed their “unwavering” support for Ukraine, including military support, as Kiev battles the Russian army ahead of a difficult winter.
“We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s freedom, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity for as long as necessary,” the ministers said in a joint statement after their meeting in Naples. “We emphasize our intention to continue providing Ukraine with assistance, including military support, in the short and long term,” they added.
The participants in the meeting, which also included European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, condemned Russia for “adopting a confrontational and destabilizing stance on a global scale, engaging in hybrid warfare and the irresponsible use of nuclear rhetoric”.
The G7 approved a $50 billion loan programme to Kiev in June, using interest income from frozen Russian assets.
At this meeting, the ministers also indicated their support for Ukraine "on the irreversible path of its Euro-Atlantic integration, including its entry into NATO".
This year, Italy holds the rotating presidency of the G7 and today's meeting was chaired by its Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, who warned that the current conflicts in the world leave a volatile and highly unstable scenario for the future.
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