Brydris

Big Changes Coming at G7 Meeting in Canada

Next week, world leaders from the G7 — a group of powerful countries including the United States, Canada, and several European nations — will meet in Canada. One of the biggest topics? Russia’s war in Ukraine.

European leaders want to get tougher on Russia. They’re planning new actions to try to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to take peace talks seriously.

Cutting Off Russia’s Money

Russia makes most of its money by selling oil. Right now, there’s a rule — set by the G7 in 2022 — that says no one can help Russia sell oil for more than $60 a barrel. But since oil prices have dropped, that rule doesn’t hurt Russia much anymore.

Now, the European Union (EU) wants to lower the price cap to $45, which would take away more of Russia’s profits. This would make it harder for Russia to keep funding the war.

Quote:

> “Lowering the oil price cap will hit Russia’s revenues hard,” said EU official Kaja Kallas.

The EU hopes the United States and other G7 countries will agree to this at the upcoming summit.

No More Gas Deals with Russia

Europe also wants to make sure Russia can’t make money from its old gas pipelines, called Nord Stream 1 and 2. These pipelines used to send Russian gas to Germany, but they were damaged by explosions in 2022, and no one knows for sure who did it.

Now, the EU wants to ban anyone from trying to use these pipelines ever again. Their message?

> “We are not going back to business as usual,” said Kallas.

More Sanctions on Russian Banks and Ships

The EU is also planning to:

Ban 22 more Russian banks from doing business

Freeze the assets of companies helping Russia’s military

Add 70 old oil ships to a blacklist (these ships secretly help Russia sell oil)

These new penalties are part of the 18th round of sanctions against Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

What About the United States?

European leaders say all these plans will only work if the U.S. agrees to join them. But U.S. President Donald Trump hasn’t backed new sanctions yet. He says he has a “deadline in [his] brain” but hasn’t made any moves.

Some worry that Trump might even pressure Ukraine, not Russia, if peace talks don’t move forward.

Final Words from Europe

EU leaders are clear: they want peace — but only a real one.

> “We need a real ceasefire,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. “Russia must come to the table with a serious proposal.”

But for now, the plan is to keep up the pressure — and make it harder for Russia to pay for war.