G7 Summit Opened With Renewed Push to Tighten the Screws on Moscow

In a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical tension, the ability of major powers to respond with unity and resolve is more crucial than ever.

While the spotlight often shifts between conflict zones, the underlying questions remain: How can peace be enforced—and who pays the price when it isn’t?

Europe Wants to Turn Up the Heat

At the G7 summit in Canada, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa urged stronger economic sanctions against Russia.

Their message was clear: only intensified pressure can compel Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

“To achieve peaceful strength we must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire,” von der Leyen stated during a press briefing, adding that sanctions are “critical” to bringing Russia to the negotiating table and ending the war.

New Sanctions on the Table

Von der Leyen pointed to a marked decline of nearly 80% in Russian oil and gas revenues since February 2022, citing this as proof that previous sanctions have worked.

She now calls for the G7 to adopt the EU’s newly proposed 18th sanctions package, announced on June 10.

This package includes sweeping measures targeting Russia’s banking and energy sectors, as well as a proposal to reduce the oil price cap from $60 to $45 per barrel.

“I will invite all G7 partners to join us in this endeavor,” she said, according to the Kyiv Independent.

Competing Priorities on the Agenda

Although Ukraine remains a central topic, the summit has also been overshadowed by the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

The broader concern for leaders is how to maintain focus on Ukraine while global crises continue to mount.

President Costa reiterated that Europe will continue to support Ukraine economically and diplomatically. But whether other G7 leaders—especially the U.S.—will align with the EU’s aggressive sanctions push remains uncertain.