Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer welcomed the G7’s stated intention to boost air defense and long-range weapons for Ukraine However, he warned in an interview with Kyiv Post that the real test will be whether the declaration is followed by specific steps.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. G7 leaders backed a joint statement pledging stronger military support for Ukraine and tighter pressure on Russia’s war economy, including sanctions targeting Moscow’s fossil fuel revenues. Signs of a US shift European leaders also pointed to what they described as a shift by US President Donald Trump toward a tougher line on Moscow. A diplomatic source told AFP that G7 leaders agreed to grant licenses for Ukraine-based companies to produce long-range missiles and air defense systems. French President Emmanuel Macron hailed what he called a “very deep change in the US approach” toward Ukraine, saying Trump had acknowledged that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not seriously interested in peace. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also said there was “a lot of convergence” on Ukraine and “no friction or divergence.” The renewed G7 language came as Trump reportedly signaled he was prepared to back Ukraine more strongly and step up pressure on Russia – but only if European allies assist with clearing the Strait of Hormuz. According to Politico, the issue was raised during closed-door discussions at the G7 summit, where Trump reportedly tied future US support for Ukraine to European involvement in maritime demining operations in the strategically vital waterway.