Turkey’s rejection of Sweden and Finland’s NATO bids overshadows the expected show of unity among the allies.
“Keeping the course” towards Moscow: Western leaders are expected to rally in the coming crucial G7 summits and then NATOas the war in Ukraine continues, creating the risk of putting their unity to the test.
The leaders of the great powers, among whom the US President Joe Bidenhave been meeting since Sunday in the Bavarian Alps, for the annual meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) most developed industrialized countries, consisting of Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Britain and the USA.
Continued support in Ukraine, four months after Russian invasion in the country, will be the focus of this summit and then the NATO summit, which will be held for two days in Madrid from 28 June.
THE German Chancellor Olaf Solz, which hosts the G7 summit, reminded this week: support in Ukraine will require “persistence” as “we are still far away” from holding talks between Kyiv and Moscow.
“Russia’s attack has made the seven countries realize that they need each other.” observes o Stefan Meister, researcher at the German research institute DGAPmuch more so that inflation or threats of an energy or food crisis test the resistance of the international community.
The war in Ukraine could last “years”, he warned NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The Alliance is dusting off
Leaders will likely discuss Olaf Solz’s request this week for one “Marshall Plan” for its reconstruction Of Ukrainea long-term plan that will cost “billions” and involve “generations”.
THE Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to call for more arms and pressure on Russia in a teleconference on Monday at the G7 summit at the Elmau Tower in the foothills of the Alps.
Zelensky will also address the summit of 30 NATO member states, the last stage of intense diplomatic activity, which began yesterday, Thursday, with the summit of EU leaders in Brussels, at which Ukraine received the status of a candidate country for accession to the EU.
The Atlantic Alliance is expected to unveil plans to protect its eastern wing, which is close to Russia.
This defense reinforcement will be accompanied by a new “strategic concept” – the first revision of the alliance’s roadmap in 10 years – which is expected to toughen its stance on Russia and address for the first time the challenges posed by China.
The exclusion from Turkey of her candidacies Sweden and her Φινλανδίας overshadows the expected display of unity among the allies.
Regression for the climate?
In order to “maintain a stable course” towards Russia, there should be no retreat in terms of financial sanctionsnor military and financial support in Kyiv, noted Solz, who, however, was criticized for the delay in the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine.
After several rounds of sanctions, “we are on the verge, especially of energy sanctions,” which have “high costs for the G7 and the global economy,” said Stephen Meister.
Berlin accuses Moscow of significantly reducing them gas deliveries to trigger an energy crisis in Europe ahead of a tense winter ahead. At the same time, the spike in food prices is affecting many areas.
In this context, the participation in the G7 summit of Indonesia, India, Senegal, South Africa and Argentina sends an important message.
“The crucial issue is to convince many non-Western countries, which are wary of sanctions, that the West is taking their concerns into account.” notes o Thorsten Brenner, Director of the Global Institute for Public Policy (Global Public Policy Institute).
India, Senegal and South Africa abstained from voting on a UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
These emerging economies are particularly vulnerable to food shortages and the climate crisis, two emergencies that are also on the list of large demonstrations scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, in Munich at the request of international non-governmental organizations.
“I’m very concerned about a possible setback from the G7’s commitment to end international fossil fuel financing.” in the context of a shortage of Russian gas, warns Christoph Balls, political director of the Germanwatch NGO.
The food, debt and climate crises have “the same roots: our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Lawrence Toumpiana, one of the architects of the Paris Agreement, urging the G7 to “plan for their complete elimination.”
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