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German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil expressed hope that the G7 will issue a joint communique supporting Ukraine, despite tensions with the US over wording related to the conflict with Russia. Talks also continue on trade issues and sanctions.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said he was optimistic that the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies would agree on a joint communique expressing support for Ukraine, despite differences with the US over the wording related to the ongoing conflict involving Russia.
Earlier reports indicated uncertainty about whether G7 finance ministers meeting in Canada could agree on language, with some US officials reportedly seeking to remove terms describing Russia’s military actions in Ukraine as “illegal.”
Speaking at a press conference in Banff, Klingbeil said, “I am very positive that we will also reach a joint communique.” He added that if no progress is made toward negotiations, further sanctions could be considered.
The EU and UK recently announced new sanctions against Russia without waiting for the US to join, following a call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that did not lead to a ceasefire or new US sanctions. European leaders have urged the Trump administration to participate in imposing new measures if diplomatic efforts stall.
Klingbeil noted that G7 finance ministers, along with their Ukrainian counterpart, described the conflict as a “brutal war” and emphasized continued support for Ukraine.
“I am optimistic that such wording will be included in the communique, but please wait for the exact text,” Klingbeil said, deferring to the Canadian presidency managing the final statement.
On trade, Klingbeil met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and agreed to hold further talks in Washington. He said, “We have always discussed forward, how we can take steps together to find solutions.”
However, Klingbeil warned that if no agreement is reached with the US on tariffs, market turbulence could quickly return. The Trump administration currently applies tariffs of 25% on steel, aluminum, and cars, along with a baseline 10% tariff on most imports, and has threatened additional tariffs if negotiations fail.
Ukraine has welcomed the European Union’s decision to provide €90 billion in support over the next two years, calling it a vital lifeline even as the bloc failed to reach agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance the aid.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that attempts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine are being undermined by Russia’s continued refusal to engage meaningfully in negotiations.
Petroleum products are being transported by rail from Azerbaijan to Armenia for the first time in decades. The move is hailed as a tangible breakthrough in efforts to normalise relations between the long-time rivals.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held a phone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil at the latter’s request.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging address from the White House in which he sought to highlight what he described as his administration’s achievements while laying the groundwork for his plans for the year ahead and beyond, on Wednesday (18 December).
U.S. intelligence sources indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin still intends to take control of all of Ukraine and reclaim parts of Europe that once belonged to the Soviet Union. These assessments contradict Putin’s repeated claims that he poses no threat to Europe.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
The United States says it is working to secure a renewed ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, expressing cautious optimism that an agreement could be reached early next week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday.
Iran has called for greater international support in hosting millions of Afghan refugees, warning that it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage the long-term humanitarian burden without a fair sharing of responsibilities.
Ukraine has carried out its first aerial drone strike on a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, reflecting a growing intensity in Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil shipping, officials said on Friday (19 December).
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