I want to start by thanking Chancellor Scholz for his welcome and congratulate him on a successful summit. The G7 represents not only many of Canada’s closest allies but our closest friends. In the last three days, I had the chance to speak with all of the leaders of the G7 and many other leaders, including the presidents of Senegal, South Africa, Indonesia and Argentina, and the Prime Minister of India.

During the Summit, we discussed many issues, such as the importance of defending democracy, the rising cost of living, food security, climate change, trade, and creating good jobs for the middle class.

Of course, we also talked about Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

Whether it’s rising food and fuel prices or supply chain issues, the impacts of Russia’s illegal invasion are felt in G7 countries and around the world. And the human cost in Ukraine is tragic. During the Summit, my G7 colleagues and I had a virtual meeting with President Zelenskyy, and I also spoke with him on the phone directly.

We are determined to support Ukraine as it courageously defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we support the European Council’s decision to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. Canada will continue to defend democracy and Ukrainians’ right to choose their own future.

To continue supporting Ukraine, Canada will provide a loan of $200 million to the Ukrainian government to help meet its urgent liquidity needs. We’ll also invest over $150 million in new humanitarian development and peace and security support. This will include agricultural solutions like grain storage units. In Canada, our farmers typically face big challenges and have been proven to be inventive and creative, so we’ll bring this expertise to Ukraine to help as much as we can.

We need to tackle the problem of food insecurity President Putin has created around the world, especially in the Global South. During the Summit, we combined efforts to provide an additional US$4.5 billion to protect the most vulnerable from hunger and malnutrition. This includes the CAN$250 million announced last week.

On Sunday, for the first time in three weeks, Russian missiles hit Kyiv again. And yesterday, a Russian missile hit a shopping mall in Kremenchuk. We condemn these attacks, and our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones. It’s important that the world doesn’t lose its attention and focus over what’s happening in Ukraine. We must and we will remain committed until Ukraine and democracy prevail. Putin and those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable.

Yesterday, Canada imposed new sanctions on over 80 individuals and entities linked to the illegal invasion, and in coordination with the US, the UK and Japan, we’ll impose a ban on the import of certain gold goods from Russia. This will further isolate them from the international financial system. We know that Putin continues to use lies to justify his invasion. Together, we need to counter the Kremlin’s disinformation. That’s why Canada will soon introduce sanctions against state-sponsored disinformation and propaganda agents and entities controlled by senior Russian officials.

In addition to Russia’s war in Ukraine, our world is facing many other challenges. During the Summit, we took important steps to accelerate progress in the fight against climate change. Canada will continue to lead efforts to deliver clean air, create good jobs, and build a more resilient future.

The G7 recognizes the need to do more to support developing countries in their efforts to transition to clean economies, narrow their infrastructure gap and create jobs and prosperity. Together, we discussed the importance of mobilizing all possible resources to these ends, picking up on the work Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados and I are doing as co-chairs of the Sustainable Development Goals Advocates Group. We’re united and we’re resolved. Our work together continues to make life more affordable for people, to grow the middle class, to fight climate change and build resilient economies and to create opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

I want to thank Chancellor Scholz once again for hosting the Summit here in Germany and I look forward to welcoming him to Canada this coming August.

Thank you, everyone.