US blocks G-7 statement on Russia's deadly attack on Ukraine cites peace talks priorities

The US has informed its G-7 allies that it will not support a joint statement condemning Russia's deadly missile attack on Ukraine, as it seeks to keep peace negotiations with Moscow on track.

The attack took place on Palm Sunday, when Russia launched two short-range ballistic missiles, one equipped with cluster munitions, at the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

As Ukrainian civilians attended church services, at least 35 people were killed, and 119 others were injured, including children, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

The Trump administration reportedly told G-7 partners it could not endorse the statement, explaining that the US is “working to preserve the space to negotiate peace” with ongoing discussions between the White House and the Kremlin.

Canada, the current G-7 president, informed its allies that the statement could not move forward without US support. Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the attack, claiming it had targeted a gathering of Ukrainian military officials, resulting in over 60 casualties. 

Drafts of the G-7 statement indicated it would have described the Sumy strike as evidence of Russia’s ongoing commitment to prolonging the war. US President Donald Trump, in comments on April 13, called the attack “terrible,” but added that he was told Russia “made a mistake.”

Trump, who has been pushing for a resolution to the war, also shifted blame toward ex-President Joe Biden and Zelenskyy. Just two days prior to the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, for nearly five hours in St. Petersburg to discuss a possible ceasefire. 

Witkoff suggested the talks could open opportunities to reshape US-Russia relations and stabilise the region. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s acceptance of Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire, but expressed concern that Russia continued its attacks, underlining that Putin remains resolute in his war efforts.

By Naila Huseynova