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Meeting in Switzerland, Vice President Kamala Harris met with President Zelenskyy and announced another $1.5 billion in aid to Ukraine.

STORY: :: Italy’s prime minister says EU states won’t be directly involved in a G7 loan to Ukraine :: June 15, 2024 :: Giorgia Meloni, Italian prime minister ''As I think you know, the loan of about $50 billion has already been announced and will be provided by the United States. Then Canada, the United Kingdom and probably Japan, subject of course to its constitutional limitations, have also announced that they will probably participate. At the moment, the European Nations are not participating in this loan, also considering the fact that the assets are all immobilised in Europe of course, and therefore Europe is already contributing by identifying the guarantee mechanism for the repayment of this loan, on the understanding that, as you know, this decision will have to go through the European Council and must be technically defined by the finance ministers of the European Union.'' During the first day of their meeting in southern Italy, the G7 nations agreed on an outline deal to provide $50 billion of loans for Ukraine backed by interest from frozen Russian assets - hailing the accord as a powerful signal of Western resolve. In the summit statement, G7 leaders said they wanted to inflict further costs on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and also promised sanctions against entities that helped Russia circumvent restrictions on its oil trading by transporting it fraudulently.

STORY: :: The Ukraine peace summit will make 'history' says President Volodymyr Zelenskiy :: June 15, 2024 :: Buergenstock, Switzerland "Ukraine never wanted this war. It's criminal and absolutely unprovoked aggression by Russia. And the only one who wanted it was (Russian president Vladimir) Putin. But in any case, the world is stronger. That's why the peace formula was born, the formula of the unity of the world majority for the sake of peace, for the sake of the full effectiveness of the principles and purposes of the UN charter, international law, and thus global security. Thus is something that is close to every nation in the world." "The views, ideas and leadership of each nation are equally important to us. And everything that will be agreed upon at the summit today will be part of the peace making process that we all need. I believe that we will witness history being made here at the summit." About 100 countries and organizations are expected at the two-day gathering in Buergenstock, in central Switzerland. He called Russia's war an "unprovoked aggression" only wanted by Russian president Vladimir Putin. Switzerland, which took on the summit at the behest of Zelenskiy, wants to pave the way for a future peace process that includes Russia. Swiss President Viola Amherd, speaking alongside Zelenskiy, said the Ukrainian people had faced "unimaginable suffering" since the start of the war and stressed that it was vital to uphold the U.N. Charter and international law.

Zelenskyy arrives in Switzerland for Ukraine summit

STORY: From a trench near the front line in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, this 55-year-old soldier, who goes by the call sign "Dad," is conducting battleground training. Ukrainian forces, now 27 months into a war with Russia, have become heavily reliant on older soldiers like "Dad" to defend the country. But they need reinforcements. 33rd Mechanized Brigade chief sergeant, call sign Deputy, is 44 years old. “In reality the average age of our brigade’s soldiers is quite high – there are a lot of people over 50. But their motivation is much higher than of the young troops. They understand why they're here: for the sake of their kids and grandchildren. They understand that there is no one else to do it except us.” As fewer volunteers line up to fight for their country than in the first months of the war, Ukraine is now under pressure to call up more troops. Call sign Canada, is a 40 year-old commander in the brigade: “Older troops could be trained to hold defensive positions. But if it's about performing other combat duties - assaulting fields, trenches, returning our land - then of course we need younger boys who are more resilient.” Russia, having seized the initiative after a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive last year, is gradually making inroads that could threaten key cities and roads in the east. This comes as Ukrainian officials say they want a full withdrawal of Russian troops and to regain all of their internationally recognized territory, a task many experts say will be difficult as the war grinds on and saps more resources. Aimed at attracting more volunteers, Ukraine's call-up effort - bolstered by government and military PR campaigns - have offered candidates a choice of where and how to serve. 50-year-old Ukrainian soldier "Bell" had this appeal to compatriots: “I don’t judge (those who do not join the army). No one should be forced to join the army. They should understand that no one other than us and them will do this. This is important. Everyone will have kids and families at some point. They need to be defended now, not whenever you're given a draft notice.”

The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations have been meeting in southern Italy and discussing a wide range of issues including the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, artificial intelligence, migration and how to tackle it. Pope Francis became the first pontiff to address in person the G7 summit.

STORY: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is meeting world leaders for a summit this weekend. :: Ukrainian Military Handout He hopes to explore ways to end his country's war with Russia - the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two. Who is attending, and what will be the likely outcome of the talks? :: What is the purpose of the summit? Zelenskiy will use the event in the Swiss mountaintop resort of Buergenstock to build support for Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion in three key areas: Food security, nuclear safety and the release of all prisoners and deportees. On the battlefield, the gathering comes at a difficult time for Ukraine. Russian troops, who now control around 18% of Ukrainian territory, are advancing in the east. :: 3rd Assault Brigade With that, and the entrenched differences between Russia and Ukraine, the summit will likely shy away from territorial issues. Instead, focusing on parts of Zelenskiy's plan that are broad enough to be palatable to most, if not all, participants. Orysia Lutsevych, a Chatham House expert on both Ukraine and Russia. "I think we have to understand that this summit is not a place and was not originally envisaged as a platform for negotiated settlement of this war. Russia is not willing to negotiate at this point. It feels it has an upper hand on the battlefield. So it it was an endeavor by Kyiv to actually, kind of unite the world in support for its, war-ending strategy, to present it as a global issue and to count friends." :: Who is going? Around 90 states and organizations have confirmed their participation at the talks, organized by Bern at Ukraine's behest. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, French President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of Germany, Italy, Britain, Canada and Japan are among those set to attend the June 15-16 meeting. Russia isn't invited. Kyiv had hoped to take steps towards isolating Russia by winning over countries that have friendlier ties with Moscow. India, which has helped Moscow survive the shock of economic sanctions, is expected to send a delegation. And Turkey and Hungary, who maintain cordial ties with Moscow, will be represented. But the main thorn in Kyiv's side is China, a close ally of Russia's. Beijing said it would not attend the summit, describing the attendance of both warring sides as a prerequisite for any substantive peace conference. :: What are the likely outcomes? The question many will be asking is whether the Swiss summit will offer any tangible progress towards ending the war in Ukraine. Switzerland wants the talks to pave the way for a "future peace process," in which Russia takes part. Ukraine has said Moscow could be invited to a future summit - on Kyiv's terms. Zelenskiy has acknowledged the challenge of maintaining international support as the war, now well into its third year, grinds on. One political scientist told Reuters that while Russian President Vladimir Putin is still in power, "it will be difficult" to reach a peaceful solution. :: What has Russia's reaction been? Russia has described the idea of a summit to which it is not invited as "futile". Moscow frames its "special military operation" in Ukraine as part of a broader struggle with the West - which it says wants to bring Russia to its knees. Kyiv and the West says this is nonsense, accusing Russia of waging an illegal war of conquest. Although Switzerland says Russia must be part of the peace process, it said Moscow was not invited because it had no interest in attending. Bern says the talks should "define a roadmap" on how to involve Russia and Ukraine in the future.

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Friday to “immediately” order a cease-fire in Ukraine and begin negotiations if Kyiv started withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renounced plans to join NATO. Such a deal appears a nonstarter for Kyiv, which wants to join the military alliance and has demanded that Russia withdraw its troops from all of its territory.

President Joe Biden and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, signed a security agreement to bolster Ukraine’s defenses for 10 years.

STORY: :: Italy's PM says the G7 will provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan using interest from frozen Russian assets :: June 13, 2024 :: Borgo Egnazia, Italy :: Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister "I can confirm that we have reached a political agreement to provide additional financial support to Ukraine of about $50 billion by the end of the year through a loan mechanism for the repayment of which the extra profits from Russian assets tied up in our jurisdictions can be used. We are not talking about a confiscation of these assets, but of the interest that accrues over time." The political agreement was the centerpiece of the opening day in southern Italy of the annual summit of G7 leaders, attended for a second successive year by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The G7 plan for Ukraine is based on a multi-year loan using profits from some $300 billion of impounded Russian funds. The technical details are to be finalized in the coming weeks, a G7 diplomatic source told Reuters. The source, who asked not to be named, said the additional funding would arrive by the end of this year. Russia regards attempts by the West to take income from its frozen assets as criminal, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday, adding that Moscow's response would be very painful for the European Union.

President Biden and G-7 leaders agreed to finance Ukraine with a loan backed by profits on frozen Russian assets. Biden also signed a long-term security agreement to support Ukraine. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty

President Joe Biden and key allies have agreed to use interest from frozen Russian assets to back a $50 billion loan for Ukraine's war efforts and economic reconstruction.

Russian forces launched new deadly attacks on Ukraine, a day before the Group of Seven meeting in Italy where leaders of countries that are some of Ukraine’s biggest backers are expected to discuss how to slow Moscow’s offensive. Ukrainian authorities said at least nine people were killed and 32 others were injured, including five children, when Russian missiles hit an apartment block in Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown, on Wednesday.

STORY: Joe Biden will sign a new security agreement with Ukraine at the G7 summit on Thursday, according to a top U.S. official. The president on Wednesday departed for Italy on Air Force One for his meeting with leaders of the Group of Seven democracies. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on the flight the agreement would make clear that U.S. support for Ukraine would “last long into the future... particularly in the defense and security space." Sullivan added the pact will include a commitment to working with the U.S. Congress on funding Ukraine going forward, but will not commit to using U.S. forces on the ground. The White House had said earlier that Biden will meet again with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the summit. G7 leaders will address multiple challenges during the June 13-15 meeting. They include wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, trade imbalances with China, threats posed by artificial intelligence and development challenges in Africa. Shoring up funding for Ukraine will be a top priority. U.S. and European officials are eager to lock in solutions ahead of a possible Trump re-election and the uncertainty it would raise over future U.S. support for Kyiv. Sullivan said the U.S. is "making good progress” on an innovative plan to use Russian assets frozen in the West to provide Ukraine with a large up-front loan to secure Kyiv's financing for 2025. Biden will press other G7 leaders to agree to using some $281 billion of Russian central bank funds to back up a $50 billion loan to Ukraine.