Trump issues brutal verdict on Putin's Ukraine war as G7 allies ramp up military pressure

At the recent G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a striking, albeit mixed, verdict on the Ukraine War, alternately calling it 'ridiculous' and lamenting its human toll while also signalling openness to brokering a peace deal. Simultaneously, G7 allies moved to significantly escalate military pressure on Moscow, pledging increased deliveries of critical air defense systems and long-range capabilities to Kyiv, alongside tightened sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector. This concerted push by G7 leaders, including their agreement to explore licensing for Ukrainian military production, comes amid a shifting geopolitical landscape. Russia continues to occupy approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, yet its offensive momentum has reportedly slowed dramatically in recent months, with Ukrainian forces even recapturing some ground through effective drone strikes on Russian infrastructure. Trump's renewed, albeit non-committal, focus on the conflict—following a period largely dedicated to securing an Iran Deal that reopened the Strait of Hormuz—underscores the G7's calculated strategy to intensify economic pressure on Russia while bolstering Ukraine's defensive capabilities. The immediate aftermath of the Évian summit will see Kyiv pressing for the swift delivery of pledged military support, particularly advanced air defense, as Russia continues its barrage of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. With Ukraine actively targeting Russian oil facilities and a stalemate persisting on the front lines, international efforts will now pivot to how effectively the increased G7 pressure translates into battlefield shifts and renewed, substantive Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks, which Vladimir Putin has consistently rebuffed.