The United States is officially opposed to calling Russia the aggressor in its war on Ukraine. In a Group of 7 (G7) statement, drafted to mark the historic third year anniversary of the war, U.S. representatives are objecting to any language believed to be pro-Ukraine, according to four officials from other countries involved in the assembly. The G7 allies originally adopted pro-Ukraine sentiment following Russia’s full-scale invasion. The phrase “Russian aggression” or word “aggressors” have been used in G7 statements since 2022, and the G7 group—headed by Canada—has long condemned Russia in their declarations. But only days after President Donald Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” and claimed that Ukraine was to blame for the deadly war, U.S. officials have proposed a neutral statement that makes no reference to Russia as the offender or Ukraine as the victim. The new draft also cuts text describing the invasion as a breach of sovereignty. The Trump administration demanded a shorter statement that did not impact current ongoing negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The final language is currently being negotiated, which could continue until it is finally published Feb. 24. Officials are also still debating whether the G7 leaders, who will meet virtually Monday, will invite Zelensky. He was in attendance last year. Three years in, the war has killed tens of thousands of civilians.
