**Canada Commits Additional Support to Ukraine at G7 Summit**
In a bid to strengthen ties with Ukraine, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce significant military aid during the upcoming G7 summit. According to sources close to the government, Ottawa will allocate a substantial portion of its defense spending for 2025 towards Ukraine’s military needs.
This commitment follows Canada’s long-standing support for Ukraine, which has seen the country provide over $13 billion in assistance, including $3.1 billion in military aid since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to participate in his fourth G7 Leaders’ Summit, where he will likely discuss further cooperation with world leaders.
**European Union Calls for Tougher Sanctions on Russia**
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged the G7 nations to step up pressure on Moscow through more stringent sanctions. Von der Leyen believes that economic sanctions have been effective in reducing Russian oil and gas revenues by nearly 80% since February 2022 and will be critical in securing a ceasefire.
In a press briefing, she stated: “To achieve peaceful strength we must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table, and to end this war. Sanctions are critical to that end.” Her comments echo concerns about the need for sustained international pressure to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
**Ukraine Faces New Challenges**
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, with reports of Russian forces attempting to push into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The surge in activity near Novopavlivka has sparked fears that Moscow is seeking to expand its territorial control.
Furthermore, Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of cynically releasing bodies of their own soldiers to burden Ukraine’s forensic experts. President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed agreements signed with the European Union and other nations as a step forward for agriculture, reconstruction, and the return of abducted Ukrainian children from Russia.
**Global Reactions and Developments**
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed that Iranian missiles were guided in such a way that Israeli interceptor missiles targeted each other. The revelation highlights ongoing tensions between regional powers.
Additionally, North Korea has reportedly lost over 6,000 troops in Russian-occupied Kursk Oblast – more than half of its deployed force, according to UK defense intelligence. These losses have sparked fears about the stability of the region and potential spillover effects on global security dynamics.
**Canada’s Role in Ukraine**
The additional military aid announced by Canada will undoubtedly provide a boost to Ukraine’s defenses at a critical juncture in the conflict. As G7 leaders converge on the summit, the international community remains resolute in its commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.
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