ISTANBUL 

European foreign ministers reiterated support for Ukraine on Friday following a G7 meeting in Canada.

“We all agree we need a just and lasting peace. We all agree that the ball is now firmly in Russia’s court. There is a ceasefire deal on the table. Russia must agree to end the fighting,” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy wrote on X.

Antonio Tajani from Italy affirmed that he talked with his counterparts individually to achieve peace in Ukraine and mutual collaborations with G7 countries.

He described relations between the US and Italy as “solid” and “ forward-looking,” underlining they agreed that Europe also needs to invest more in defense.

“I reiterated the need for dialogue to avoid trade wars,” he wrote on X.

He said, with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, they reiterated the “importance” of working on European “competitiveness” and a “peaceful future” by strengthening defense capabilities in conjunction with NATO.

“The EU must remain united to deal effectively with major international crises,” he said.

Tajani stated they he had a “great synergy” with his British counterpart “on support for Ukraine, Middle East stability and combating irregular migration.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock affirmed her solidarity with Canada. “We have got your back, Melanie Joly,” she wrote about the Canadian foreign minister.

“The G7 was created by France 50 years ago. It is meeting this year in Canada, where I have come to defend our interests and convey our vision of the World,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on X.

The foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, met in Quebec's Charlevoix on March 12-14.

The foreign ministers issued a statement Friday that also warned Russia of new sanctions if it fails to comply with a ceasefire proposed by the US.

They also backed unimpeded humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and a permanent ceasefire.

Additionally, they emphasized the sovereignty of Syria and Lebanon, pledged commitment to a stable Indo-Pacific, and addressed issues in Haiti, Venezuela, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with efforts to counter hybrid warfare and sabotage.