G7 committed to unwavering support for Ukraine

Finance chiefs and central bank governors from the Group of Seven nations have reaffirmed their "unwavering support" for Ukraine, and their unity in condemning Russia's invasion.

The officials released a statement after their meeting in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru, the eve of the first anniversary of the start of the invasion. They were joined by Ukraine's Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko.

Japanese Finance Minister Suzuki Shunichi told a news conference that his Ukrainian counterpart had noted his country's severe fiscal situation during the meeting.

Suzuki said he was convinced that Japan, as G7 chair, should help ease Ukraine's fiscal difficulty.

It says the finance leaders have increased this year's commitment of budgetary and economic support for Ukraine to 39 billion dollars. This includes 5.5 billion dollars in additional aid from Japan.

The statement calls the invasion an "illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine."

The statement says the "significant commitments and their swift disbursement" will enable the Ukrainian authorities to "carry out the most critical repairs of damaged infrastructure," and to stabilise the economy and defend their country.

It says coordinated economic sanctions imposed by the G7 nations against Russia "have significantly undermined" the country's capacity to wage its war.

The meeting was chaired by Japan, which holds this year's G7 presidency.