Leaders of the Group of Seven pledged to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses, secure its energy supply and increase economic pressure on Russia at a G7–Ukraine meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 16, 2026. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the talks delivered the support Ukraine needs as it braces for more Russian strikes.
“Priorities are clear: more air defense missiles along with licenses to produce them, a winter support package,” Zelenskyy said, adding that the United States would provide support in each of these areas.
Who took part
Zelenskyy met French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, along with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Air defense and licenses to build missiles
The G7 agreed to work on strengthening Ukraine’s protection from air attacks. Zelenskyy also discussed with Trump the possibility of Ukraine receiving licenses to produce anti-ballistic systems and missiles at home, and the two teams will continue working on the idea. Kyiv has asked for permission to manufacture Patriot missiles, as stocks of US-made interceptors remain short, partly because the Middle East conflict has drained American supplies.
Macron described an “unprecedented convergence” among G7 leaders, including Trump, on supporting Ukraine. Merz said G7 backing for Kyiv was “as strong as seldom before,” sending a clear signal to Moscow. A joint statement praised “Ukraine’s resilience and progress on the battlefield.”
Energy, sanctions and rebuilding
Zelenskyy showed the leaders photos of the aftermath of Russian strikes, and the G7 condemned attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Macron announced that France will rebuild the sarcophagus at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and Switzerland offered to help restore the Lavra.
Partners discussed extra funding to physically protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and agreed to supply diesel, gas and gasoline if shortages arise. On sanctions, Zelenskyy said all leaders agreed the war must be stopped and that Putin, who does not want to end it, must be forced to, with sanctions as the first step. He thanked the UK for recently intercepting a Russian shadow fleet tanker and said other G7 countries are planning similar measures.
Backing for EU membership
All G7 countries voiced support for Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. Ukraine formally opened membership negotiations earlier in the week, and the leaders said they saw no obstacles to opening further negotiating clusters. Zelenskyy was due to travel on to an EU summit in Brussels.
Sources
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