Western leaders extend financial aid, weapons

KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Western leaders to Kyiv on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of the Ukraine conflict, as Ukrainian forces run low on ammunition and foreign aid hangs in the balance.

A somber mood hangs over Ukraine as Kyiv's troops face mounting challenges on the front line amid dwindling supplies and personnel challenges.

Allies from the European Union and the G7 countries rallied around Kyiv to express solidarity, with Zelensky joining a virtual G7 meeting on Saturday and four world leaders traveling to Ukraine's capital.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv to show their solidarity with Ukraine.

Hours later, Zelensky's office announced the signing of 10-year bilateral security deals with Canada and Italy, with Ottawa committing to send Kyiv C$3.02 billion ($2.2 billion) in military and economic aid this year while Rome promised much-needed long-range weapons.

Meloni also chaired a G7 video-conference from Kyiv that produced a joint statement on Saturday reaffirming the commitment to "supporting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace", tightening sanctions on Russia and sending Ukraine military and economic aid for "as long as it takes".

Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev said on Saturday Moscow will seek "revenge" for massive Western sanctions.

A day earlier, US President Joe Biden announced yet more sanctions against Russia.

"The reason (behind the sanctions) is clear — the worse it is for Russian citizens, the better it is for the Western world," Medvedev said on social media.

"We all just need to remember this and take revenge on them wherever possible. They are our enemies."

Medvedev called on Russians to "create difficulties in the economy for (the West) and foment public unhappiness toward the incompetent policies of Western authorities".

In the US Congress, Republicans have stalled $60 billion in military aid for Kyiv.

Agencies Via Xinhua