War in Ukraine: agreement in principle at the G7, new sanctions from the United States welcomed… update on the situation

Les dirigeants des pays membres du Groupe des Sept (G7) sont arrivés jeudi en Italie pour leur sommet annuel (illustration). MAXPPP – Nicolas Cleuet/Le Pictorium

Tous les jours, Midi Libre fait le point sur la situation en Ukraine. Ce jeudi 13 juin 2024, découvrez les dernières actualités autour de ce conflit.

Agreement in principle at the G7 to use the interests of Russian assets for Ukraine

The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries arrived in Italy on Thursday for their annual summit during which they will seek to strengthen their support for Ukraine and present a united front against the China's political and economic ambitions. Ahead of two days of talks, diplomats said an agreement in principle had been reached on the plan to grant a $50 billion loan to Kiev using the interests of Russian sovereign assets frozen immediately after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"I think that we will have decided on the main axes of this project, but that certain details will have to be settled by experts according to a precise timetable", said Jake Sullivan, White House national security adviser. A senior European official confirmed the existence of an agreement in principle. "I think it's done", he said. &quot ;Everything should be fine. I don't expect leaders to say… (anything against). The aim, according to a person familiar with the discussions, is to ensure the deal can work for years regardless of who is in power in each G7 state. A way of responding to concerns linked to a possible return to power of Donald Trump, considered less favorable to kyiv.

"There is a lot of work to be done, but I am sure that over the course of these two days we can have discussions that will lead to on concrete and measurable results", Italian Council President Giorgia Meloni told her G7 guests at the start of their discussions in a luxury hotel in the Puglia region in southern Italy. While Giorgia Meloni is buoyed by her success in the European legislative elections, most leaders of the G7 member countries are facing difficulties at home. US President Joe Biden faces an uphill battle against Donald Trump for re-election in November, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looks certain to lose power in the July 4 national election and in France, President Emmanuel Macron faces earthquake politics caused by his decision to dissolve the National Assembly. G7 leaders are also expected to express concern over China's high production levels, which they say are disrupting global supply chains and market stability. Washington on Wednesday extended sanctions against Moscow due to the war in Ukraine, in particular by targeting companies based in China that sell semiconductors to Moscow.

Joe Biden probably hopes that these announcements, made on the eve of the G7 summit, will encourage Western allies to show more determination in confronting Beijing, particularly on its support for Russia. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky will participate for the second year in a row at the G7 summit, during which he is expected to sign a new long-term security agreement with Joe Biden. The leaders of countries not part of the G7 – such as India, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, Algeria or Kenya – were invited to the summit. Pope Francis is expected to speak Friday on the risks posed by artificial intelligence and the potential it represents.

US sanctions against Russia "hit where it hurts", Ukraine says

Ukraine on Thursday welcomed new US sanctions targeting Russia's war effort, saying they hit "where it hurts".

"These measures hit where it hurts. We particularly welcome the tough measures taken against Russia's defense industrial sector and its access to technology and resources abroad, said the head of the Ukrainian diplomacy, Dmytro Kouleba, on the social network

USA and Ukraine sign 10-year defense agreement

American President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement between their two countries on Thursday, intended to strengthen Ukraine's defenses against its invasion by Russia. Russia. This agreement, signed on the sidelines of a G7 summit in Italy, should constitute a further step towards Ukraine's accession to NATO, according to its terms. Volodimir Zelensky has long called for his country to join NATO, but the allies have so far refused to take this step as long as Ukraine is in conflict with Russia.

Under the terms of Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, in the event of an attack against one of its 32 members, each member will consider this act as an armed attack directed against all members and will take the measures it deems necessary to come to the aid of the country attacked. The bilateral agreement signed Thursday provides that in the event of an attack against Ukraine, American and Ukrainian officials will meet within 24 hours to consult on the reaction to be had. and determine Ukraine's additional defense needs. "The United States intends to provide long-term support in materiel, training and advice, intelligence, security, defense industry, #39;institutions and other types to develop Ukrainian security and defense forces capable of defending a sovereign, independent, democratic Ukraine and deterring future aggression" , is it written in the agreement.