Zelensky Calls for ‘Decisive’ G7 Response After Russian Strikes

President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a “decisive and meaningful” response from G7 leaders after Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks against Ukraine in recent months, firing 70 missiles and 611 drones across the country.

In a statement published on Telegram on Monday, Zelensky said the attack demonstrated Moscow’s determination to continue the war and urged Ukraine’s partners to increase pressure on Russia and provide additional air defense systems.

“It is very important that there is a response from the Group of Seven countries, which are now gathering for their summit,” Zelensky said.

A week prior, during a meeting in London, the E3 nations (UK, France and Germany) worked alongside Zelensky to formulate a five-point basic plan for war settlement.

Kyiv, Kharkiv among hardest-hit

According to Zelensky, more than 60 missiles were launched at Kyiv overnight.

As of Monday morning, authorities reported 4 people killed and 28 injured in the capital.

Among the sites damaged was the Dormition Cathedral at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s most important religious and cultural landmarks.

“Through its strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Russia set fire to the Dormition Cathedral – a church whose history began in the 11th century,” Zelensky said.

“This is one of Russia’s greatest crimes against Christian culture to date.”

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Emergency crews extinguished the fire on the cathedral’s roof.

In Kharkiv, Russian forces carried out what officials described as a double-tap strike, targeting emergency responders as they worked to extinguish a fire at an industrial facility previously hit by Russian attacks.

Five people were killed and nine were injured in the city, according to Zelensky.

Russia also struck railway infrastructure, a college, and multiple businesses in Dnipro.

Other regions targeted during the overnight attack included Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Mykolaiv.

“Russia is showing the world that it intends to continue the war,” Zelensky said.

G7 summit

Leaders of the G7 are gathering for their annual summit on Monday in Évian-les-Bains, France, which is set to end on Wednesday.

Zelensky is scheduled to join the G7 leaders on Tuesday for a dedicated session on Ukraine, with key topics of discussion being additional sanctions against Russia and continued support.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Zelensky’s participation is vital to “restore the rapprochement of positions in the G7” at a time when Western unity has shown signs of strain.

Ahead of the summit, Zelensky held what he called a “very substantive” coordination call with Macron and engaged in high-level discussions with US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Zelensky is also expected to meet US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit.

Hours before the Russian barrage, Zelensky held a phone call with Trump and congratulated the latter’s birthday, with Zelensky’s office adding that the Ukrainian leader “informed Donald Trump about the latest developments on the battlefield and how Ukraine’s position has strengthened” during the call.