German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that "Putin is isolated. He's standing alone" as G7 leaders met virtually with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – but there were no new sanctions announced against Russia.

The 90-minute meeting was chaired by Scholz, who said that the strongest economies in the world had moved closer together under the threat from Russia with this the fourth G7 meeting of the year. 

"The economically strongest democracies in the world have moved even closer together. We condemn the brutal actions of Russia," said Scholz.

"Putin is isolated. He's standing alone."

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Germany's period of holding the G7 presidency finishes at the end of this month, with Scholz and other G7 leaders once again urging Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine.

He added that the backing from the international community for Ukraine would not waiver: "Support for Ukraine runs like a red thread through our presidency. We will do that for as long as it is necessary."

Moving on to discuss Ukrainian reconstruction, Scholz said that the G7 wanted to create an international program to aid and arrange the rebuilding of cities shattered by Russian bombardment. 

"The reconstruction of Ukraine is comparable to the Marshall Plan after the Second World War," he said.

Defensive support

Scholz pointed to the support Germany has given to Ukraine with artillery and said that work was underway to coordinate with Poland to place German patriot missile systems in Poland. There had been criticism from Warsaw over German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht revealing the details to the press before the Polish authorities.

Before coming into the summit, Zelenskyy had met with U.S. President Joe Biden and at the G7 he spoke glowingly of the support Washington had given to Kyiv. 

President Biden also said the conversation was "to underscore ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine's defense." It came after the U.S. announced $275 million of additional military aid, including specific equipment for countering drone attacks by Russia. Since the conflict began, the United States has pledged $38 billion in military aid to Ukraine and delivered $13 billion.

However, despite some speculation in the media, Scholz did not discuss a new round of sanctions from the EU at the G7 meeting. Canada imposed fresh sanctions on 33 current and former Russian officials last Friday.