The host of the summit, German Chancellor Olaf Soltz, praised the unity of the allies, which “Putin did not expect.”
The G7 leaders did not have time to enjoy the idyllic landscape that is the backdrop of the summit in Bavaria, but managed to resolutely express their support for Ukraine against Russia, which is the target of new sanctions.
A family photo against the backdrop of mountain peaks rising in a bright sky, a few steps by the crystal clear waters of a river: the meeting of the leaders of the club of the industrialized countries, the Group of 7 (Germany, USA, France, Canada, Italy, Japan , United Kingdom) offered several bucolic images.
But the seven leaders are committed to the priorities of this summit, which will run until Tuesday, amid a series of multiple crises: the war in Ukraine, threats to food and energy security, and the urgency of dealing with them. of climate change.
Wanting to send a strong message of support to Ukraine, US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced an embargo on Russian gold imports before the decision is even ratified by the G7 as a whole.
This ban applies to gold that has recently been mined in Russia and not to gold that has already been sold. “It will directly hit the Russian oligarchs and the heart of Putin’s war machine,” Boris Johnson assured.
Danger of fatigue of the western camp
The West has already imposed many sanctions on Russia. But the Ukrainian government is calling for more, after the Russian missile strikes against Kiev this morning, an act of barbarism, as denounced by Joe Biden.
In the face of the threat of “fatigue” of the Western camp, to which Boris Johnson referred, the US President addressed a new call for unity in the G7 and NATO towards Moscow.
Vladimir Putin hoped that “one way or another, NATO and the G7 will be divided. “But this has not happened and will not happen,” said the US president.
The summit was hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Soltz and praised the unity of the allies, which “Putin did not expect”. Cameras captured the G7 leaders insulting the Russian president and his well-known naked torso pose during an informal conversation in a 2009 photo.
At a time when Russian forces are advancing on Donbas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will intervene in the summit tomorrow.
“This is a crucial moment in the development of the war,” said Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a British government spokesman.
They believe that “the reversal of the course of the conflict is possible,” according to Downing Street.
No solution through “now” negotiations
The British Prime Minister warned the President of France Emanuel Macron not to try to find a solution through negotiations “now” in Ukraine, which would involve the risk of prolonging “global instability”, Downing Street announced.
During a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Slos Elmau, Bavaria, the two leaders “agreed that the moment is crucial for the course of the war and that there is a possibility of reversing the course of the conflict,” a British government spokesman said. clarifying that they agreed to increase their military assistance to Kyiv.
“The prime minister stressed that any attempt to settle the conflict now would have no effect other than causing permanent instability, while giving Putin the right to manipulate sovereign states and international markets in perpetuity,” a Downing Street spokesman said.
The war in Ukraine and its aftermath will occupy much of the summit talks, with the first meetings devoted to the global economic turmoil.
Joe Biden wants to show Washington allies that resistance to Russia and confrontation with China are two complementary, not opposite, goals.
The G7 seeks to oppose China and the “New Silk Roads” by investing in the infrastructure of developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
At the initiative of Washington, the G7 leaders announced that they want to raise $ 600 billion by 2027 as part of the Global Infrastructure Partnership program to respond to Beijing-funded projects.
The leaders of Indonesia, India, South Africa and Argentina have been invited to the annual summit as part of the West’s bid to widen the United Democrats’ front in the face of the threat of a Russia-China bloc.
Emerging economies are also particularly exposed to the risk of food shortages, rising energy costs exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis.
Climate change campaigners are waiting for concrete steps from the G7, including planning a complete elimination of fossil fuels.
Bilateral talks on the sidelines
With a loud handshake and a few warm words, Emanuel Macron and Boris Johnson expressed their desire to warm up the atmosphere, leaving behind many months of tension between the crises of the Australian submarines and the aftermath of Brexit.
The two leaders are facing complicated political situations in their countries, with the President of France having lost the absolute majority in the National Assembly and Boris Johnson being weakened by a series of scandals.
The German chancellor, for his part, is betting on the G7 to restore his popularity, which has been hurt by his ambivalent stance on Kyiv.
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