Against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and the ongoing war in Ukraine, G7 heads of state convened today for an extraordinary summit in the town of Kananaskis in Canada's Alberta province. The summit, taking place amid sharp disagreements between President Trump and his European allies, focused on the Iranian issue and the international response to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the summit directly from a high-profile diplomatic visit to Greenland, where he met with the Prime Minister of Denmark and the Prime Minister of Greenland. The visit, perceived as a calculated diplomatic move, was intended to express the highest-level support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Arctic island. Moreover, the visit is seen as a clear and immediate message to President Trump, who has previously expressed considerable interest in purchasing Greenland and has not even ruled out the use of military force to achieve this goal, despite the island being under Danish sovereignty—a US ally.

Tensions between Trump and the European Union manifest across a range of key issues. Europeans are pushing for a tougher stance toward Russia in light of its refusal to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, and are interested in advancing another round of sanctions that would include a further reduction in the Russian oil price cap. This move is designed to prevent Russia from benefiting from rising global oil prices, which have surged following the fighting between Israel and Iran and are now bringing enormous revenues into the Russian state coffers.

President Trump illustrated the depth of disagreement with Europe regarding relations with Russia when he criticized the G8's decision to expel Russia from the organization following the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in March 2014. During the discussions, Trump said: "That was a big mistake. You wouldn't have had this war. Putin talks to me, he doesn't talk to anyone else because he got insulted when he was thrown out of the G8". Trump's words, perceived as a defense of the Russian president, underscore the gap between his position and that of European allies, who view Russia's expulsion from the organization as a necessary step in punishing violations of international law.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to arrive in Canada tomorrow as a guest of honor, and he will meet with Trump and the other leaders. Zelensky's arrival is expected to add another dimension to the discussions, particularly given the different positions regarding the desired approach to confronting Russian aggression.

However, the war between Israel and Iran is what stands at the central focus of the discussions. G7 leaders drafted a declaration clearly stating that Israel has the full right to defend itself and that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. The declaration, intended to reflect a unified Western position on the Middle Eastern crisis, encountered unexpected opposition from President Trump, who refused to sign the proposed text.

Trump's opposition to the declaration carries broad diplomatic significance, particularly given that Israel is considered a key ally of the United States in the Middle East. The refusal raises questions about the American president's position regarding handling the Iranian crisis and could complicate the West's ability to form a united front against Iran.

The tariff storm initiated by Trump adds another layer of complexity to the discussions. The tariffs, which impose economic pressure on European allies, exacerbate the diplomatic climate and make it difficult to reach agreements on other issues. The combination of economic tensions with disagreements on security matters creates a significant challenge for summit organizers.

The Kananaskis summit exposes the depth of cracks in the Western front during this critical period. While the world faces multiple crises—from the war in Ukraine to tensions in the Middle East—the difficulty of reaching agreements among allies casts a heavy shadow over the West's ability to lead a coordinated and effective response to the security challenges of our time.

Why Didn’t Trump Sign?

According to messages from the G7 summit, it appears that the original statement or its wording is inaccurate. The G7 countries expressed their desire for President Trump to sign a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, but the President refused to comply with the demand, left the summit prematurely, and returned to Washington.

Photo: AP & NEWS 18

הפוסט Trump Refuses to Sign G7 Declaration הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

Moscow declared a ceasefire for the Orthodox Easter holiday, but Ukrainian civilians continue to suffer from relentless attacks. Reports from the ground indicate that the promise remains hollow.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly announced a temporary ceasefire in honor of the Orthodox Easter holiday, the reality on the ground tells a completely different story. Residents of many Ukrainian cities reported heavy bombardments that continued without interruption, with direct hits on residential buildings just today.

"Some ceasefire", said one local resident sarcastically whose home was damaged in the latest bombing. "We are supposed to be celebrating the holy holiday, and instead we find ourselves hiding in shelters".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Russian declaration in a speech delivered last night: "We have no trust in Putin's words. His promises are worth nothing". He added that "the strategy of bombing people who are celebrating Easter is a cruel and inhumane act".

This is not the first time Russia has violated declared ceasefires. International security experts note that the gap between the Kremlin's official statements and the reality on the ground continues to widen as the war persists.

The world discovers time and again that the Russian president is a liar, that declarations of ceasefire are primarily media maneuvers designed to improve Putin's image in the eyes of the international community, while in practice the attacks continue.

The targeted attacks during religious holidays reflect a calculated strategy on Russia's part. There is a deliberate attempt here to damage the morale of the Ukrainian population during times that should be joyful and sacred.

This policy has drawn harsh historical comparisons. Several senior Ukrainian leaders have called Putin a "devil" and have even dared to compare him to dark leaders from the past such as Adolf Hitler, claiming that he is pursuing a policy of indiscriminate destruction and killing.

When you bomb residential buildings while residents are celebrating one of the most important holidays in the Christian calendar, you cross a moral red line; it demonstrates a complete disregard for human life. It demonstrates a complete disregard for human life.

In the international community, there are growing calls to increase sanctions against Russia following the repeated violations of declared ceasefires. Representatives of Western countries at the UN Assembly expressed deep shock at the continued attacks on civilians during a religious holiday.

The Russian "Ceasefire" – Another Deception from Putin's Workshop

The shattered residential buildings in Kherson stand as living testimony to Vladimir Putin's absolute hypocrisy. "Ceasefire"? Who actually placed faith in this promise? Are these not the same buildings that sustained attacks from Russian unmanned aerial vehicles mere moments after the supposed "unilateral ceasefire" was to take effect, which our contemporary Tsar declared for the Easter holiday?

This is the embodiment of cynicism in its purest form – to declare a ceasefire on a sacred date, and then rain shells upon the dwellings of innocent civilians. Is there a clearer expression of absolute contempt for basic human values?

As a senior commander in the Ukrainian army stated: "There is no ceasefire in existence. On all fronts, the Russians continue firing, without any change". His words do not arouse wonder. When did Putin last honor his word?

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, articulated it precisely when he said: "Putin has now declared his supposed willingness for a ceasefire. Thirty hours instead of thirty days. Unfortunately, we are witnessing a long history of his declarations, which do not align with his actions".

The world still regards Putin's declarations as if they hold some value, as if they are worthy of the paper on which they are written. However, history consistently teaches us: Putin's promises are merely tools in his strategic game, devoid of any real value.

"We know that his words cannot be trusted", added Sybiha, "and we will judge him by his actions, not by his statements".

It is time for the international community to adopt this approach. The time has come to cease treating Moscow's declarations as something worthy of attention, and to begin looking solely at actions on the battlefield.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister also reminded us of the fact that "Russia can agree at any time to the proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire for thirty days, which has been on the table since March". That same ceasefire which, according to both sides, has been violated repeatedly.

But are both sides truly equally culpable? In my opinion, the answer is clear as day. While Ukraine struggles for its survival, for its sovereignty, Russia continues its cynical power games, trampling every possible international norm.

A "ceasefire" in Putin's mouth is like "peace" in the mouth of a tyrant – an empty word intended to serve only his personal interests. The destroyed residential buildings in Kherson are the chilling evidence of this.

To the 'Maakav' agency, a Red Cross spokesperson stated: 'We are documenting every violation of the ceasefire. We have teams deployed throughout the combat zone, reporting on strikes against civilian residences and public institutions, in complete contradiction to the official statements emanating from the Kremlin. At our disposal are field personnel who testify to impacts on residential homes and community buildings, in total contrast to the claims declared by Moscow'.

The human distress continues with intensity. Medical facilities in the area report a new wave of casualties following the recent air attacks. Many families were forced to conduct Easter ceremonies in underground shelters, where the sounds of prayers and hymns were swallowed by the echoing thunder of falling shells.

Photo from public publication; use according to Section 27a of the Copyright Law

הפוסט Putin: Ceasefire in Words, Bombardment in Deeds הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

Ukraine mourns one of the deadliest attacks in recent months, after Russian missiles hit the center of Sumy on Palm Sunday. According to updated official data, 34 civilians were killed, including two children, and more than 117 injured, including 15 children.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that Russia carried out two ballistic attacks on the city and warned that the number of casualties could increase. "The strikes were recorded exactly in the city center. Today is Palm Sunday, many were on the street, and there is also a church nearby where a consecration ceremony was taking place. It was exactly at this time that the Russians attacked, fully aware that they were hitting civilians", Klymenko said.

The attack hit the conference center of Sumy State University, a place that according to local residents "is used for various courses, clubs, and workshops" and serves as an "educational center for the entire city". Nearby streets also suffered heavy damage – cars were destroyed and nearby houses damaged.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded sharply to the attack: "A terrible ballistic missile strike on Sumy. Enemy missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars on the street… and this on a day when people go to church: Palm Sunday, the feast of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Only a villain could act like this".

Zelensky added: "It's been more than a month since Putin has been ignoring America's offer for a full and unconditional ceasefire. Unfortunately, they there, in Moscow, are confident that they can afford to continue killing. We need to act to change the situation".

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha described the attack as "absolute evil" and emphasized that Ukraine is providing detailed information about the incident to its international partners. "Russia has been refusing for the second consecutive month to accept the American proposal for a full ceasefire, which Ukraine unconditionally accepted on March 11. Instead, Russia is escalating terror", he said.

Strong International Response

World leaders strongly condemned the Russian attack. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: "A few hours ago in the city of Sumy, Russian missiles fell on women, men, and children. The death of these people is equally tragic and caused by the same evil that threatens Poland and all of Europe today".

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack "horrific" and "a harsh reminder of the ongoing bloodshed" led by Russia. "President Zelensky has demonstrated his commitment to peace, and now President Putin must agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions – as Ukraine has done", Starmer added.

French President Emmanuel Macron claimed the attack demonstrates "blatant disregard for human life," while Keith Klog, the US President's Special Envoy to Ukraine and Russia, wrote that the attack "crosses all boundaries of decency".

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attack as "barbaric" and "particularly abhorrent" as it occurred while "people gathered peacefully to celebrate Palm Sunday".

Germany's future Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, accused Russia of committing a war crime. "It was a treacherous act and a serious war crime, deliberate and intentional", he said. "This is the answer, this is how Putin acts with those who talk to him about a ceasefire".

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned what she called "the terrible and cowardly Russian attack", while Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called the attack "monstrous".

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas described the attack as "a horrific example of Russia escalating attacks, while Ukraine has agreed to an unconditional ceasefire".

US and Israel Response

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his "deepest condolences to the victims of the horrific Russian missile attack on Sumy".

US President Donald Trump responded later and described the event as "terrible", but did not explicitly mention Russia. "I was told they made a mistake. But I think it's terrible. I think the whole war is a terrible thing," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington. When asked what he meant by "mistake", he replied: "They made a mistake, ask them". It is unclear to whom he was referring in his response.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry also issued a statement: "Our deepest condolences to the people and government of Ukraine, as well as to the families who lost their loved ones in the latest Russian attack on Sumy".

Currently, Ukrainian emergency services continue rescue efforts and assistance to the wounded, with growing concern that the number of victims may still rise.

•The images and the video are from social networks in Ukraine, in accordance with the provisions of Section 27A of the Copyright Law

הפוסט Genocide by Russian Nazis: a fascist atrocity against the people of Ukraine הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

It is evident that President Trump showed blatant disrespect toward his Ukrainian counterpart, expressing his positions in a harsh and disrespectful style, and ignoring historical commitments anchored in the Budapest Memorandum.

The Broken Promises of the Budapest Memorandum

At the heart of the current crisis is the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, signed in 1994. Under this agreement, Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal – the third-largest in the world at that time – in favor of Russia. In return, both the United States and Russia committed to serve as guarantors of Ukraine's security and territorial integrity.

The memorandum represented a decisive moment in post-Cold War disarmament efforts. Ukraine, which inherited a significant nuclear arsenal after the collapse of the Soviet Union, agreed to transfer these weapons to Russia under significant diplomatic pressure from both Washington and Moscow. The monetary value of this nuclear transfer was estimated in billions of dollars, leaving Ukraine militarily vulnerable while strengthening Russia's nuclear capabilities.

However, the security guarantees promised to Ukraine began to crumble in 2014, when Russia, one of the guarantors of the agreement, annexed Crimea and supported separatist movements in eastern Ukraine in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The United States, the second security guarantor, responded with limited sanctions that proved insufficient to deter Russian aggression.

By 2025, the situation had deteriorated further, with the United States now appearing to abandon its commitment as a security guarantor, leaving Ukraine in an increasingly dangerous position. The evident collapse of the Budapest Memorandum's security guarantees raises disturbing questions about the credibility of international agreements and the implications of nuclear disarmament for smaller states caught between world powers.

Details of the Budapest Memorandum:

The Budapest Memorandum signed in 1994. In this document, Russia, the United States, and Britain committed to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in exchange for Ukraine's relinquishment of its nuclear arsenal, which was the third-largest in the world after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The document was signed on December 5, 1994, by Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and Britain, and contains the commitments mentioned earlier.

The commitments included:

Respecting Ukraine's independence and sovereignty.

Refraining from threatening or using force against Ukraine.

Refraining from economic pressure aimed at influencing Ukraine's politics.

Requesting immediate UN intervention in case of a nuclear weapon threat against Ukraine.

The document lacked binding enforcement mechanisms, and therefore strategic means were transferred in gradual stages; the last batch was transferred in early January 2014, and by February of the same year, Russia had already imposed its authority over southern regions of Ukraine and the Black Sea areas.

Because the document lacked binding enforcement mechanisms, which led to extensive controversy regarding its validity following Russia's takeover of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

Read the full text of the Budapest Memorandum — click here

Confrontation at the White House

The February 28 meeting between President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and President Zelensky was supposedly organized to discuss a minerals agreement between the two countries. Instead, it deteriorated into a sharp confrontation full of mutual accusations and stormy exchanges.

During the meeting, Trump accused Zelensky of "gambling on World War Three" and showing disrespect toward the United States. "You are playing with the lives of millions of people," Trump told Zelensky according to reports from the meeting. "The cards are not in your hands. What you're doing is disrespectful to the United States".

Following the turbulent meeting, Trump published an official statement on his X account: "We had a meaningful meeting at the White House. I identified that Zelensky is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he thinks our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don't want advantage, I want peace. He showed disrespect to the United States in the Oval Office. He can return when he's ready for peace".

Later, Trump told reporters that the meeting with Zelensky "didn't go well" and continued to attack the Ukrainian president: "He went too far. The US is not looking to play games, and we're not interested in a war that will take 10 years." Trump claimed that the US wants to achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia, while Zelensky "wants to fight fight fight".

When asked if he was considering stopping military aid to Ukraine, Trump responded vaguely: "It doesn't matter what I'm considering".

Zelensky's Response and Diplomatic Implications

A few hours after leaving or being removed from the American presidential residence (according to different versions), President Zelensky gave a comprehensive interview to the conservative news network "Fox News". In the interview, he expressed regret about the meeting's outcome, saying, "This is not good for both sides". When asked if he thought he should apologize to Trump, Zelensky replied: "We need to be very open and honest. I'm not sure we did something wrong".

Zelensky emphasized that he "respects Trump and the American people" and expressed belief in his ability to salvage the relationship with Trump. He acknowledged that his country lacks sufficient weapons and ammunition to repel the Russian army and admitted that victory in the war would be difficult without American support.

"We don't want to lose our wonderful friends in America", Zelensky emphasized. "We are ready for peace, but we also must be in a position of strength. Trump can be more on our side". Zelensky also denied Trump's claim that he has no intention of signing a ceasefire agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, a senior White House official told Reuters that President Trump is not interested in reviving the precious minerals deal with Ukraine. The source claimed that the Ukrainian delegation began "begging" for the deal to be signed immediately after Zelensky was expelled from the White House.

Additionally, a senior American official told CNN that relations between Zelensky and Trump "appear beyond repair" and raised the possibility that the Ukrainian president might resign. The source described the situation as "disastrous" and added: "It's unclear how mutual relations will progress as long as Zelensky is in power, unless he finds a way to fix the situation".

International Reactions and Russian Exploitation

Following the public confrontation, several European countries quickly sided with Zelensky, including France, Poland, Norway, and Germany.

Russia, for its part, exploited Zelensky's expulsion to mock and verbally attack him. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson cynically remarked after the confrontation: "The fact that Trump and Vance didn't hit Zelensky is a miracle of restraint". Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who currently serves as the head of the Russian Security Council, expressed himself in particularly provocative terms: "For the first time, Trump told the cocaine clown the truth to his face. The regime in Kyiv is gambling on World War Three. The ungrateful pig received a strong slap by hand from the owners of the pigsty. This is important, but not enough. Military support for the Nazi machine must be stopped".

Worsening Military Situation

In the midst of this diplomatic crisis, Russia continues to exploit the situation militarily. On the night following the White House incident, a Ukrainian hospital in Kharkiv in the eastern part of the country, Ukraine's second-largest city, was hit by a Russian drone attack. A child was injured in the attack on the hospital, and the mayor reported that additional targets were hit.

Historical Context: The Budapest Memorandum and Its Implications

The current crisis cannot be fully understood without examining the historical context of the Budapest Memorandum. The memorandum, signed in 1994, was a cornerstone in the security architecture and nuclear non-proliferation efforts after the Cold War. Ukraine's decision to give up its nuclear weapons was based on solid security guarantees from both the United States and Russia.

However, these guarantees began to collapse in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea shortly after receiving nuclear weapons from Ukraine. Russia also supported separatist movements in eastern Ukraine in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The United States, as the second security guarantor, responded with limited sanctions that proved insufficient to deter continued Russian aggression.

The clear abandonment of these security commitments by both guarantors – Russia through direct aggression and the United States through diplomatic withdrawal – raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of international security agreements and the wisdom of nuclear disarmament for countries in vulnerable geopolitical positions.

The Human Cost

Amid diplomatic tensions and political maneuvering, the ongoing human tragedy in Ukraine is sometimes forgotten. The conflict has led to the destruction of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian lives since 2014, with civilian infrastructure under routine attack. The recent attack on a hospital in Kharkiv is just the latest example of the war's impact on civilian populations.

As tensions between the United States and Ukraine continue to escalate, and as Russia exploits these disagreements, the future remains highly uncertain. Ukraine finds itself in an increasingly dangerous position – abandoned by one security guarantor and under attack from the other, with its president now apparently considered persona non grata in the White House.

The collapse of the Budapest Memorandum's security guarantees raises troubling questions about international agreements and the implications of nuclear disarmament. As President Zelensky acknowledged in his Fox News interview, the path to victory becomes significantly more challenging without continued American support.

For now, Ukraine continues to confront Russian aggression while navigating an increasingly complex diplomatic landscape. The harsh reality is that the Budapest Memorandum, once considered a victory of post-Cold War cooperation, now stands as a cautionary tale about the fragility of international security guarantees when geopolitical interests change.

In the shadow of this diplomatic crisis, ordinary Ukrainians continue to endure the daily reality of a conflict now entering its eleventh year, with no clear end in sight.

Photo: DW

הפוסט Superpower Betrayal: US Tramples Agreements, Ukraine Bleeds הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.