G7 foreign ministers gathered in Weissenhaus, Germany, are sending a clear message to Vladimir Putin, telling the Kremlin leader that they will “never” recognize the borders that Russia has “tried to push through military aggression” with Ukraine. An attitude that leaves no room for interpretation. However, support “for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea” remains unchanged. In addition, the “Group of Seven” reaffirms its “determination to increase economic and political pressure on Russia” and warns Moscow against using chemical or nuclear weapons. “Their use would have serious consequences,” it says.
An important step will then be devoted to the food crisis threatened by the blockade of ports, which entails a halt to Ukrainian wheat exports. In this context, Russia is urged to “put an end to this practice” and warns of the “massive impact” especially in Africa and the Middle East, where some 43 million people are at high risk of “food insecurity and malnutrition”. one step away from hunger”.
A final need remains to accelerate efforts to “reduce and end” dependence on Russian energy supplies “as soon as possible,” thereby reducing “currency flows to Russia” and limiting the financial resources available “to finance the Russian war.” .
A direct confrontation, which EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasizes, is not going “with Russia or the Russian people,” but against the decision “by leaders who reject democratic responsibility.” For this reason, there is instead full support from Moscow “for those who have fallen victim to repression”.
Finally, the G7 also issued a warning about China. The invitation to Beijing is, in addition to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, not to take any initiatives that could “mitigate” the impact of sanctions on Moscow.