G7 urges reliable security guarantees for Ukraine, dodges new Russia sanctions

The meeting of the Group of Seven ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the U.S. and Japan, along with the European Union, focused on the U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's controversial comments about a proposed 30-day ceasefire during his March 13 press conference, which "left delegates unclear about where things stand."

Although the process of drafting the communique was challenging, the atmosphere was positive. It was important to show unity.

"If we can't reach agreement on the communique, then it shows the division. It's not in the interest of any of the members of the G7," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on the sidelines, adding that she was optimistic and that so far there was good language on Ukraine that she hoped would stay.

The draft, negotiated late into the night, welcomes U.S. peace efforts in Jeddah and Ukraine's commitment to an immediate cease-fire, and urges Moscow to follow through "unconditionally."

It also includes tougher language on China, as requested by Washington, and encouraging language on Taiwan.

This follows an earlier report by Reuters on March 11 that the United States opposed language that could harm its efforts in peace talks with Russia in the G7 communique. 

While Canada, which holds the G7 presidency, hoped to reach agreement on a general statement on Ukraine, the Middle East and China, as well as another statement targeting Russia's shadow fleet, the U.S. was seeking to remove references to sanctions and Russia's war in Ukraine.