The third and concluding day of the G7 summit in Évian, France, is currently underway. Last night, the leaders released a collective declaration reaffirming their «steadfast support for Ukraine in protecting its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.»
The Group of 7 leaders are set to commence their final day in Évian on Wednesday. In a notable moment of agreement, the leaders endorsed a statement reaffirming their backing of Ukraine and its citizens.
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The statement highlights Ukraine’s resilience, which has generated fresh momentum on the battlefield, and to sustain this progress, the leaders agreed to speed up the provision of air defence systems, interceptors, and long-range capabilities.
The G7 leaders also regard the recent US-Iran agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as an opportune time «to escalate pressure on Russia’s war economy. In this context, we will intensify our sanctions, including those targeting the oil and gas sectors.»
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${body} ${author} 9:47 GMT+2
German and Ukrainian defence firms to collaborate on anti-ballistic air defence systems
German defence company HENSOLDT and Ukrainian firm Fire Point have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at developing a ground-based air defence system capable of detecting and intercepting ballistic missiles.
As per HENSOLDT’s announcement, the German firm will be responsible for the production, testing, and supply of radar systems for the missile defence framework and will supervise the integration of these elements.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian company Fire Point will serve as the primary contractor and manage the design of the missile defence system. Fire Point will test and supply its FP-7 missiles, including launchers and system control equipment.
For several months, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged European nations to produce their own anti-ballistic missiles, claiming that Ukraine could manufacture such missiles for all of Europe. He noted that delays have mainly stemmed from the absence of necessary US licenses.
Sasha Vakulina 9:43 GMT+2
Iran to forego nuclear weapons for sanctions relief, US deal reveals
Iran has committed to never developing nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of all sanctions, according to the details of a framework agreement with the United States circulated alongside the G7 summit.
The agreement forms part of a memorandum of understanding expected to be signed by Washington and Tehran in Switzerland on Friday, with a peace deal to be finalized within a 60-day timeframe extendable by mutual agreement.
Signing the memorandum will prompt an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, where Israel’s intervention against Iran’s proxy group Hezbollah is ongoing. The US and Iran would pledge respect for each other’s sovereignty, restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, lifting all sanctions on Iran, and unfreezing its assets.
The final accord will require approval from the UN Security Council through a binding resolution.
Maïa de La Baume 9:00 GMT+2
China is on today’s agenda: Will G7 leaders forge a united stance?
Following last night’s joint declaration, the G7’s unity faces a fresh challenge today.
The morning session on the third and final day of the G7 summit will focus on economic imbalances, with particular emphasis on the country Western allies primarily accuse of causing this issue: China.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, warned of a «new China shock» triggered by an influx of low-priced, heavily subsidized goods from Beijing’s state-led economy, which has significantly increased its global exports. Concerns about deindustrialization have shifted from theoretical to concrete in a brief period.
While officials acknowledge broad consensus on the seriousness of this challenge, there is still debate over the appropriate policy responses. European stakeholders will watch US President Donald Trump closely, whose position regarding Beijing has softened notably since his widely publicized summit with Xi Jinping in May.
Jorge Liboreiro 8:39 GMT+2
Russia launched 119 drones against Ukraine overnight
While G7 leaders and Volodymyr Zelenskyy gathered in Évian to discuss efforts aimed at pressing Russia toward negotiations, Moscow conducted new attacks on Ukraine.
Russian forces deployed at least 119 drones against Ukrainian cities overnight, of which Ukraine’s air defence forces intercepted 97 UAVs.
Late Tuesday night, Moscow also targeted the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, resulting in one casualty and injuring at least seven, according to regional officials.
Regional police reported that Russian forces directed multiple Shahed drones toward residential zones in the city.
The assault damaged civilian infrastructure, including homes and parts of Zaporizhzhia’s National University, authorities said.
Sasha Vakulina 8:27 GMT+2
Kyiv welcomes ‘new steps to support Ukraine and escalate pressure on Russia’
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed Kyiv’s welcome of “the forceful G7 statement introducing new measures to support Ukraine and heighten pressure on Russia.”
“G7 once more demonstrates that the world’s leading democracies remain united with Ukraine and are dedicated to restoring comprehensive, fair, and lasting peace for the country.”
In a post on X, he also highlighted the G7 leaders’ readiness to «take concrete actions to enhance Ukraine’s defence capabilities, air defence, and energy resilience, as well as tighten sanctions against Russia.”
“While Russia shows no genuine willingness for diplomacy, the available leverage must be fully employed to finally bring it to the negotiating table.”
Following President @ZelenskyyUA’s engagement at the summit in Évian yesterday, we value the robust G7 statement introducing new steps to support Ukraine and increase…
Sasha Vakulina 8:33 GMT+2
Joint statement marks a diplomatic success for Macron at his final G7 summit
Prior to this G7 summit, European officials were skeptical about the possibility of releasing a joint statement addressing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, two divisive issues that historically split allies, with the United States on one side and the remaining G6 on the other. Last year in Canada, disagreements had prevented agreement on common language regarding geopolitical matters.
However, momentum grew throughout Tuesday, enabling negotiators to capitalize on the opportunity and issue a three-page statement on «geopolitical issues» overnight, as reported.
For Europeans, obtaining Donald Trump’s agreement to a text that vows increased support for Ukraine and stricter sanctions on Russia represents a significant diplomatic achievement. This success is especially meaningful for host French President Emmanuel Macron, who is attending his last G7 summit before leaving office next year.
Credit: Associated Press
Jorge Liboreiro 8:14 GMT+2
G7 leaders ‘prepared to consider’ extending military production licenses to Ukraine
G7 leaders have expressed they are «prepared to consider» granting military production licenses to Ukraine and have agreed to augment arms deliveries, as outlined in a joint statement released yesterday evening.
«We commend Ukraine’s resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months and recognize there is newfound momentum. To maintain and accelerate this momentum, we agree to increase the delivery of air defence capabilities, supplementary systems and interceptors, and long-range capacities,» the statement said.
«Additionally, we are ready to consider extending military production licenses to Ukraine to facilitate an increase in its defence manufacturing.»
Kyiv aims to produce interceptors for the anti-ballistic Patriot systems domestically, and Zelenskyy confirmed on Tuesday that he reiterated this request to US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit.
The Patriot air defence system remains the only surface-to-air missile system in Ukraine’s arsenal that can counter Moscow’s ballistic missile threat. Manufactured in the US by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Patriot missile systems serve as a cornerstone of air defence for various US allies, especially in the Gulf region, and now for Ukraine as well.
Sasha Vakulina 8:06 GMT+2
G7 leaders agree on weapons support for Ukraine, enhance pressure on Russian economy
Last night, G7 leaders issued a joint declaration expressing «steady support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.»
The leaders lauded Kyiv for generating new momentum on the battlefield and committed to supporting it with increased deliveries of air defence systems, additional interceptors, and long-range capabilities.
The recent US-Iran framework agreement has bolstered efforts aimed at limiting Russia’s war-financing, with leaders pledging intensified sanctions on its energy sector.
The statement also commits G7 nations to supporting Ukraine through the upcoming winter, a period when Russia has historically targeted the country’s energy infrastructure amid extreme temperatures.
Luca Bertuzzi 16/06/2026 – 19:25 GMT+2
Welcome back to our G7 live blog
It is the third and final day of the G7 summit in Évian, France.
The agenda today is lighter, featuring three main events:
- A morning working session focused on «Promoting balanced, shared and sustainable economic growth»
- A working lunch on «Ensuring a safe, rapid and effective deployment of artificial intelligence»
- An afternoon press conference with summit host, French President Emmanuel Macron
Follow our live blog for continuous updates!
Jorge Liboreiro