US objects to phrase ‘Russian aggression’ in G7 statement on Ukraine

Officials within the U.S. administration are resisting the inclusion of language explicitly identifying Russia as the aggressor in a forthcoming G7 statement marking the third anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This stance has the potential to undermine the traditional display of unity among member states, according to five Western officials who spoke to the Financial Times.

“We firmly believe that a clear distinction must be made between Russia and Ukraine. They are not equivalent,” stated an official with direct knowledge of the discussions.

U.S. representatives have opposed the use of the term "Russian aggression" and similar characterizations that G7 leaders have consistently employed since 2022 to describe the conflict, the officials reported. Notably, last year’s G7 leaders' statement referenced Russia’s aggression on five separate occasions.

According to two individuals familiar with the matter, the Trump administration’s insistence on moderating such language signals a broader shift in U.S. policy, reframing the war as the "Ukraine conflict." This linguistic adjustment is reflected in recent U.S. State Department communications, including an official summary of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Riyadh, which twice referred to "the conflict in Ukraine."

Furthermore, discussions regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s participation in Monday’s virtual G7 summit remain unresolved, the officials added.

20 February 2025