US blocks ‘strong’ G7 statement on Ukraine: Canadian official

KANANASKIS: The United States (US) blocked a “strong” G7 statement on Ukraine that would have condemned Russia, arguing it wanted to preserve its ability to negotiate, an official from summit host Canada said Tuesday.

“Basically no statement because the Americans wanted to water it down,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

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The other six members of G7 agreed on “strong language,” but a joint statement would have needed agreement from the United States.

The official said that the same language would instead be released in a chair’s summary of the summit.