The sun shines for two and a half days in Elmau, Bavaria: Heads of state and government from the 7 largest democracies (G7) meet in hot weather (up to 30 degrees) and blue skies. It was over on Monday afternoon – and in two ways!

A mighty thunderstorm and a barbaric message from the warlords Wladimir Putin (69) burst into verse: Im Ukrainian have Kremenchuk Russia Soldiers commit a new war crime: missile attack on busy mall! Many injured, at least 15 people died. More than 40 are said to be still missing.

“The invaders fired rockets at a shopping center where more than a thousand civilians live,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 44, in horror.

In the morning, Selenskyj took part in the summit at Elmau via video.

There he asked Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64, SPD) and other participants for more weapons and declared: The war must end by the end of the year!

G7 leaders hope so too. Scholz agreed with his US, UK, French, Italian, Canadian and Japanese counterparts more aid to Ukraine (including money and arms) and further sanctions against Russia (including for the arms and technology sector).

Scholz: “We will continue to increase the pressure on Putin. This war must end.”

Also planned: a halt to gold imports from Russia. So that less money flows into Putin’s war chest.

The powerful in the world openly oppose Putin!

Also NATO react: Prior to the start of the NATO summit (starting today in Madrid), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, 63, announced that the number of rapid reaction forces would be increased almost tenfold: from about 40,000 to more than 300,000 troops. Among other things, the NATO NRF intervention force, which is on permanent alert, will be rebuilt.

The fight against Putin – the G7 is looking for more allies for this. Among other things, heads of government from India and South Africa were invited to Elmau yesterday. Together they also discussed how to limit global warming to below 2 degrees.

G7 talks about “war crimes”

Late Monday, the G7 leaders released a joint statement on Putin’s cowardly attacks on Kremenchuk civilians.

It said: “We, the heads of state and government of the G7, condemn in the strongest possible terms the heinous attack on a shopping center in Kremenchuk. We unite with Ukraine and mourn the innocent victims of this brutal attack.”

It underlined “unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, the unjustified war that has been raging for 124 days.”

And further: “Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians constitute a war crime. Russian President Putin and those responsible will be held accountable.”

They will continue to provide financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine and “will not stop until Russia ends its cruel and senseless war against Ukraine,” the joint statement said.

The beauty of Elmau – finally over on Monday…