The G7 calls for “unity” against Russia; The EU promises Ukraine funds WGN Radio 720

WEISENHAUS, Germany (AP) – The European Union is giving Ukraine another 500 million euros ($ 520 million) to purchase heavy weapons to repel the Russian invasion, the bloc’s foreign minister said Friday at a meeting of the group’s top diplomats in Germany. seven rich nations.

Joseph Barrel, the EU’s high representative for foreign policy, said he also hoped that the bloc’s member states would soon agree to an oil embargo against Russia, despite some countries’ fears.

“We will give a new tranche of another 500 million to support the Ukrainian military,” Barrel told reporters before the G-7 meeting at the Weissenhaus on the Baltic coast of Germany. The funds will be used to purchase heavy weapons and bring Ukraine’s total financial support from the EU to 2 billion euros ($ 2.1 billion), he added.

The meeting is also attended by top diplomats from Germany, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and the United States. They plan to look for more ways to put pressure on Russia through economic sanctions, Moscow’s international isolation and countering disinformation spread by Russia, Barel said.

EU diplomats are scheduled to hold talks on Monday on a possible embargo on Russian oil. Hungary resisted the move due to its strong dependence on Russian imports, but Barrel expressed optimism.

“We need this agreement, and we will have it,” he said.

“We need to understand the specific circumstances of each of the 27 member states,” he added. “But if there is no consensus at the level of ambassadors on Monday, ministers, when they meet for the Foreign Affairs Council, must give political impetus.”

Barrel said it was important to present a “united front” for the G-7 meeting, a sentiment echoed by British Foreign Secretary Liz Trass.

“At this time, it is very important that we continue to put pressure on Vladimir Putin, supplying Ukraine with more weapons and increasing sanctions,” she said. “The unity of the G-7 is vital during this crisis to protect freedom and democracy.”

Among the issues on the Weissenhaus agenda are how to unlock the millions of tons of grain stuck in Ukraine, major exporters of agricultural products that are urgently needed to alleviate food shortages around the world.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmitry Kuleba and his counterpart from neighboring Moldova Nika Papescu were invited as guests.

About 3,500 police officers were deployed at the scene northeast of Hamburg for security.

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Follow the coverage of the AP war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine