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Jun 18, 20261
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Trump Signals Shift on Ukraine at G7, Says Russia Losing More Troops as Putin 'On Offensive'
At the G7 summit, U.S. President Trump signalled a shift in his approach to Ukraine, stating that Russia is on the offensive and losing more troops than Ukraine. Following the summit, Trump held a phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky and French President Macron, with Zelensky describing it as an important conversation that could bring significant change.
Quick Facts
Who
Donald Trump
What
Trump declared Russia is 'on the offensive' and losing more troops than Ukraine
When
G7 summit
Where
G7 summit location
- Trump declared Russia is 'on the offensive' and losing more troops than Ukraine
- Zelensky held phone call with Trump and Macron after G7 summit
- Zelensky expressed gratitude for Trump's attention to Ukraine
- Macron said Trump showed 'real change in approach' regarding the war
- Trump suggested potential additional U.S. sanctions on Russia
U.S. President Donald Trump signalled a significant change in approach towards the Ukraine war at the G7 summit, declaring that Russia is "on the offensive" and losing more troops than Ukraine. The statement marks a notable shift in Trump's stance on the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron following the summit, describing it as an "important coordinating conversation which could change a great deal." Zelensky expressed gratitude for Trump's attention to Ukraine and his readiness to help bring peace closer.
French President Emmanuel Macron noted a "real change in approach" from the United States regarding the war and said Trump "took notice" of the fact that Russia was not seeking peace. Macron stated that Washington acknowledged Moscow was not looking to end its war in Ukraine. Trump suggested the U.S. could impose additional sanctions on Russia if it did not take steps to end the conflict. The G7 discussions reflected broader efforts to convince Trump that Ukraine's military efforts are delivering results and that Russia is not in a position to dictate terms for any peace settlement.
Shortly after Trump's comments on Russian troop losses, Kyiv came under attack from Russian ballistic missiles in the early hours of Thursday morning. Authorities urged residents to take shelter as air strike alerts were issued across most of Ukraine's territory. One person was killed in a drone attack on the northeastern city of Sumy. The timing of the attack—just hours after Trump's remarks—underscored the ongoing intensity of the conflict despite diplomatic discussions.
Separately, the UK Ministry of Defence launched an investigation after the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel. The Russian defence ministry claimed its sailors were acting "in strict accordance" with international shipping regulations to prevent a potential collision. The incident occurred days after Britain seized a sanctioned Russian vessel transiting through the Channel, highlighting rising tensions between the UK and Russia at sea.
Why This Matters
A shift in Trump’s tone at the G7 could affect the pace and shape of Western support for Ukraine, including whether the U.S. leans more strongly toward sanctions pressure on Moscow. For readers, the key takeaway is that diplomatic language is moving closer to the view that Russia is not in a position to dictate peace terms, which may influence markets, security planning, and future negotiations. The concurrent missile and drone strikes also show that battlefield risk remains high even as political talks intensify.