Topline
The governments of the world’s wealthiest democracies swiftly agreed to further sanctions on Russia and increased economic independence from China after this year’s G7 summit kicked off in the Japanese city of Hiroshima—where the first wartime atomic bomb was detonated—as Russia’s war in Ukraine loomed chiefly over discussions.
G7 leaders, from left, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, European Commission President Ursula von … [+]
Key Facts
G7 leaders agreed upon further sanctions on Russia—targeting exports used to fund its Ukraine war campaign—seeking to limit the country’s energy and industrial revenue.
Ukraine received full support from leaders including President Joe Biden, who said the U.S. would support joint training of Ukrainian pilots on fourth generation aircraft—which includes F-16s—for the first time, according to CNN.
Nuclear weapon programs in Russia, China, North Korea and Iran also received great attention from officials, who called upon some of the countries to commit or recommit to the reduction and accumulation of such weapons.
A draft communique addressed a need for the G7 countries to reduce economic dependence on China but noted their policies were not designed to thwart China’s economic progress.
What To Watch For
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the summit, which will continue into the weekend, officials told the New York Times.
Key Background
Leaders from the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan attend the annual G7 summit. Discussions regarding Ukraine have so far taken priority at the summit as the country’s war with Russia has continued for more than a year. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and as of this March, resulted in the deaths of 8,231 Ukrainian civilians and 13,734 injuries, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Countries supporting the Ukrainian war effort have drawn ire from Russia President Vladimir Putin, who has warned that sanctions on Russia are “akin to an act of war.” Putin has repeatedly threatened the West with nuclear retaliation, suspending a nuclear arms control treaty in February—though western officials have stressed there is no indication Putin is planning to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
What We Don’t Know
It is yet to be seen how Russia will react to the further sanctions G7 leaders plan to impose. Putin has threatened the West multiple times for its support of Ukraine, once saying, “Supplies of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe.”
Further Reading
Biden tells G7 allies the US will support joint F-16 training effort for Ukrainians (CNN)
Zelensky Will Attend the G7, Seeking Arms and Aid, Officials Say (New York Times)
G7 steps up Russia sanctions, seeks to cut China trade dependency (Reuters)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/05/19/g7-summit-f-16-training-for-ukraine-and-new-russia-sanctions-highlight-first-day-of-talks/