Zelenskyy urges G7 to make Russia the ‘final aggressor’

During his visit to Japan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the world to prevent future wars by ensuring that Russia is the “last aggressor”. He presented his 10-point peace plan as the world’s “salvation from war” and called for the restoration of Ukraine’s borders, the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, and guarantees for nuclear, energy, and food security. Zelenskyy secured new sanctions against Moscow and weapons for Kyiv during his week-long diplomatic blitz across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The G7 leaders pledged to tighten their sanctions against Russia and continue to support Ukraine for the long term. However, significant divisions remain preventing the formation of a united front against Russia. The G7’s share of the global economy has plunged from about 70% during the 1980s to 44% today, meaning that choking the Russian economy increasingly requires buy-in from the wider international community.