 "'Working to preserve space for peace': Trump shoots down G7 plan to censure Russia over Sumy strike")
The US has informed its G7 allies that it will not back a joint statement condemning Russia’s deadliest strike on Ukraine this year, citing a desire to keep diplomatic channels with Moscow open.
The attack took place on Palm Sunday, when Russia launched two short-range ballistic missiles — one reportedly carrying cluster munitions — at the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, killing at least 35 people and injuring 119, including children.
According to a Bloomberg report, citing people familiar with diplomatic correspondence, President Trump’s administration told allies it couldn’t sign the statement denouncing the attack as it is “working to preserve the space to negotiate peace” as meetings continue between the White House and the Kremlin.
Canada, which holds the G-7 presidency this year, told allies that without US endorsement it would be impossible to go ahead with the statement, added the report, citing the same people.
On Monday, the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed via Telegram that it carried out the deadly strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, claiming it targeted a meeting of Ukrainian military commanders and killed over 60 servicemen.
Drafts of a planned G7 statement, seen by Bloomberg News, described the attack as further evidence of Russia’s intent to prolong the war. However, the US has told allies it will not endorse the statement, aiming to preserve momentum in ongoing negotiations with Moscow.
On Sunday night, President Trump described the attack as “terrible” but added — without elaboration — that he was told Russia had “made a mistake.” Trump, who is accelerating efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine, deflected blame onto President Joe Biden and President Zelenskyy.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsRussia’s strike on Sumy came just two days after President Vladimir Putin met with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg for nearly five hours of ceasefire discussions.
Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Witkoff said the talks with Putin opened a path to “reshape” US-Russia relations and stabilise the region through what he described as “very compelling commercial opportunities,” though he did not provide details.
In his daily address, President Zelenskyy said nearly 50 countries and international organisations had expressed support following the Sumy attack.
He confirmed that Ukraine had accepted Trump’s proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire, which also aimed to end deadly attacks like those in Sumy and Kryvyi Rih — where a strike on a children’s playground earlier this month killed 20.
However, Zelenskyy noted that 34 days had passed since the proposal with no halt in Russian attacks.
“Putin remains committed to waging war,” he said, “and will continue unless serious pressure is applied.”
With inputs from agencies
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