Obama: ISIS Will Ultimately Be Defeated in Iraq

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, emphasized that although it will take time, the Islamic State group will ultimately be completely defeated and driven out of Iraq. According to the Associated Press, Mr. Obama stated on Monday, June 8, in Germany at the G7 summit that the challenges in Iraq remain significant and added that the ultimate defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq depends on the success of the international coalition led by the United States. The U.S. President stressed that he is 'completely confident' that if Haider al-Abadi's government represents all Iraqis, the defeat of ISIS will be inevitable. The Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, has captured large areas of Syria and Iraq in recent years, and affiliated groups have also taken control of areas in countries like Nigeria and Libya. Barack Obama also met with his French counterpart, Francois Hollande, on the sidelines of this summit, and the two leaders emphasized the unity of global powers in continuing nuclear talks with Iran. The presidents of these two UN Security Council member countries met on Monday on the sidelines of the G7 summit. The two leaders also discussed how to keep Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. They also emphasized that economic sanctions against Russia will remain in place until Moscow fully implements the Ukraine peace agreement. Mr. Obama also stated during his press conference that Russian soldiers continue their operations in eastern Ukraine despite Moscow's denials, and the G7 countries are prepared to pass tougher sanctions against Russia if necessary. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, and Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, in the village of Krün, Germany, where the G7 summit is being held: According to Reuters, the U.S. President accused Russia of continuing to 'violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity' of Ukraine. Barack Obama added that it is Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, who must decide whether he wants to destroy the Russian economy with a 'misguided desire to restore the glory of the Soviet Empire.' Following the annexation of the autonomous region of Crimea in Ukraine by Russia last year, the armed separatist movement supported by Russia in eastern Ukraine, which borders Russia, and the downing of a Malaysian Airlines passenger plane by Russian missiles in Ukrainian airspace, the European Union and the United States have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia. Barack Obama stated regarding Iraq that 'more actions should have been taken' to prevent the influx of foreign fighters joining the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.