Top diplomats from the Group of Seven (G7) nations reaffirmed their united support for Ukraine on Wednesday while steering clear of divisive topics such as U.S. trade tensions with Canada and recent American military strikes in the Caribbean.

The two-day gathering, held near the U.S. border, brought together foreign ministers from the G7  Canada, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan — along with counterparts from several invited nations, including Ukraine, India, and Brazil.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha appealed for continued Western backing as his country braces for another harsh winter amid escalating Russian aerial assaults that have caused widespread blackouts.

“We have to move forward to pressure Russia, to raise the price for the aggression, for Russia, for [President Vladimir] Putin, to end this war,” Sybiha said.

In a joint statement, the G7 ministers pledged to “increase the economic costs to Russia” and explore new sanctions targeting those financing Moscow’s war effort. Canada announced fresh sanctions against individuals linked to Russia’s drone development, while Britain earlier pledged additional funding to help rebuild Ukraine’s energy grid.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered no new American initiatives but said discussions focused on “strengthening Ukraine’s defense and finding an end to this bloody conflict.”

“We are doing whatever is necessary to support Ukraine,” said Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.

Trade Dispute Left Unaddressed:

The meeting followed renewed strain between Washington and Ottawa after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly ended trade talks with Canada. The move came after Ontario’s provincial government funded an anti-tariff advertisement in the United States — an action that angered Trump, who months earlier had suggested Canada should become the “51st U.S. state.”

Anand declined to comment on the trade dispute, saying her focus was on the G7’s collective agenda.

“I am here to talk about the work that the G7 ministers are doing,” she said.

U.S. Military Strikes Not Discussed:

The U.S. delegation also faced questions about the administration’s military campaign against alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which the Pentagon says has killed at least 75 people since September. Critics in Congress have demanded greater transparency about the targets and legal justification for the strikes.

Rubio told reporters the issue “didn’t come up once” during the G7 meetings and denied reports that Britain had halted intelligence sharing with Washington.

“Nothing has changed or happened that impedes our ability to do what we’re doing,” he said.

Despite avoiding some of the more contentious global topics, the G7 ministers emphasized unity on Ukraine and pledged to continue coordinating humanitarian, economic, and security support as the war enters another difficult winter.