Category: International

LONDON, United Kingdom (NPA) — Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries have agreed on coordinated measures to stabilise global energy markets, including the immediate release of 100 million barrels of oil through the International Energy Agency (IEA) over four months.

The decision followed a virtual meeting by G7 leaders on Friday to address what they described as deepening challenges to global energy security amid unprecedented volatility in oil markets.

The leaders said surging energy prices were threatening economic stability and the well-being of citizens, prompting measures aimed at stabilising immediate energy supplies, protecting households and businesses from price shocks and strengthening the long-term resilience of global energy systems.

Under the agreement, G7 countries will coordinate maintenance schedules across their refineries to prevent simultaneous capacity shutdowns and temporarily increase utilisation rates where feasible.

The G7 also encouraged countries with significant refining capacity to increase production of refined products, particularly diesel, in response to ongoing market pressures.

The leaders requested the IEA to monitor the immediate and full implementation of commitments made in March 2026.

“Taking into account commitments that have already been fulfilled, we will implement our commitments with a coordinated release through the IEA of 100 million barrels (MB) to begin immediately over four months,” the leaders said.

They said the release would include a substantial frontloaded diesel release within the first 20 days by G7 members and partners.

The G7 said it would meet through the IEA in the coming days to consider additional diesel releases if necessary.

The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from imposing energy and energy-product export restrictions among G7 countries, while calling on all producers to avoid bans that could further increase market tensions.

They invited the IEA to monitor the impact of the measures on energy security and market stability, as well as implementation of the commitments.

According to the statement, the IEA is expected to deliver a follow-up report before 20 days, including actionable recommendations to improve future responses and address the replenishment of strategic stocks.

The G7 condemned what it described as Iran’s continued attacks against regional neighbours and disruption of international trade, energy security and the global economy.

“We call for the immediate and full restoration of navigational rights and principles in the Strait of Hormuz and express our determination to redouble our collective efforts to that end,” the leaders said.

They commended the United States for its efforts to ensure the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.

The G7 also said it would maintain sanctions against Russia while working with the IEA and global partners to prevent further spillovers into fuel, gas and other commodity markets.

The leaders said concerns among citizens over energy prices remained a top priority and pledged to continue monitoring developments and adjust measures where necessary.

“Today’s agreements mark a step toward a more secure, transparent and resilient energy future,” the statement said.

KYIV, Ukraine (NPA) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has praised the country’s military and international partners following successful interceptions, including of ballistic missiles, during another wave of Russian attacks across Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said rescue and recovery operations were continuing after Russian strikes damaged civilian and energy infrastructure in several regions, including Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, Volyn and Rivne.

In Kyiv, the depot at Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station, data and business centres and residential buildings were damaged, according to the president.

In the Odesa region, a school, a dormitory and two foreign vessels were reportedly hit. Energy facilities, substations, civilian enterprises and residential buildings were also damaged in other affected areas.

Zelenskyy described the attacks as targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, saying the aftermath of the strikes was being addressed “almost nonstop”.

“There were successful interceptions last night, including of ballistic missiles. Thank you to everyone involved in our defence and to everyone who adheres to our agreements,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the United States and Norway for providing NASAMS air defence systems and missiles, as well as to France and Germany for recent air defence support, particularly missiles.

“Against the backdrop of daily Russian escalation, it is important that the protection of life receives constant support and such packages continue to arrive,” he said.

The Ukrainian president said continued international assistance was important as Russian attacks persisted, urging partners to maintain support for the country’s air defence capabilities.

He also thanked those involved in responding to the aftermath of the attacks and providing assistance to affected communities.

KYIV, Ukraine (NPA) — Russian missile and drone strikes have hit several parts of Ukraine, with authorities reporting casualties, damage to residential and public infrastructure and fires in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and other areas.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said emergency responders rescued two people after a Russian morning strike hit an administrative building in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district.

The agency said fires also broke out at a petrol station in the Obolonskyi district and in an open area in the Darnytskyi district. The fires were later extinguished.

In Odesa, Russian strikes damaged an empty warehouse and caused a fire that was extinguished by emergency responders. Ukrainian authorities also reported damage to roofs and windows of private homes and to vehicles in the region.

In Kharkiv, local authorities reported that more than 20 people were injured, including children, after strikes hit the Saltivka and Kyiv districts. A residential nine-storey building was damaged, while emergency responders rescued 32 people from the building.

Reuters separately reported that a Russian guided aerial bomb struck an apartment building in Kharkiv on Monday, injuring 22 people, including children, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

In Chernihiv region, Ukrainian authorities said a Russian drone strike hit a residential area of Novhorod-Siverskyi, injuring four people, including two children aged 15 and 17.

A residential building caught fire and the injured were taken to hospital, according to Ukraine’s emergency authorities.

In Kyiv, authorities reported attacks in several districts. One person was injured in the Darnytskyi district after a strike hit a multi-storey building, setting balconies on fire. Emergency responders extinguished the blaze.

The Solomianskyi and Holosiivskyi districts were also reported to have come under attack.

The latest strikes followed a series of Russian attacks across Ukraine over the weekend. Reuters reported on Sunday that Russian attacks killed three people in different Ukrainian cities, while nine people were injured in attacks on Kyiv, including a child.

Ukraine reports strikes on Russian targets

Ukraine has also continued attacks on Russian military and economic infrastructure.

Ukrainian officials reported strikes on Russian facilities and other targets, while Russian authorities have reported Ukrainian drone attacks on infrastructure inside Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had struck Russian defence and energy-related facilities as part of efforts to disrupt infrastructure supporting Moscow’s war effort.

Reuters reported that a drone attack attributed to Ukraine halted crude processing at a Moscow oil refinery after fires damaged key processing units.

Russia, meanwhile, has said its forces have targeted Ukrainian logistics, port and transport infrastructure, communications facilities and vessels it considers linked to Ukraine’s military. Reuters said it could not independently verify those Russian claims.

The latest exchanges come amid continued Russian aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, with both sides maintaining military operations despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to reduce strikes on energy infrastructure.