G7 agrees Ukraine support platform ahead of aid summit
G7 leaders agreed on key elements of a platform to coordinate financial support for Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, before a summit in Paris on post-war reconstruction.
"The goal is now to build this platform quickly with the participation of Ukraine, international financial institutions and other partners," Scholz said after the leaders of the club of wealthy nations held online talks.
The meeting, which was also joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, was held on the eve of the Paris summit which will look at what immediate assistance allies can give Ukraine over the winter.
Scholz said the reconstruction of Ukraine was "comparable perhaps with the Marshall Plan" -- which was put in place by the United States to help Europe rebuild after the devastation of World War II.
The G7 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany -- which currently holds the club's presidency -- Italy, Japan and the United States.
Scholz did not give further details about the platform to support Ukraine.
But he said he was "convinced that it is our unity, our determination that has led to the Russian president standing all alone today.
"We call on Putin again to stop the senseless killing in Ukraine, and withdraw his troops."
The summit in Paris will see governments, business and aid agencies come together to discuss Ukraine's energy, health, food, transport and water sectors.
