G-7 ministers back Ukraine support, are suspicious of China
MUENSTER, Germany — Top diplomats from the world’s major industrialized democracies on Friday rallied support for Ukraine in its resistance to Russia’s invasion, expressing “unwavering commitment” to Ukraine’s defense, and expressed suspicion of China’s increasing assertiveness amid a panoply of global crises.
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations, wrapping up two days of talks in the historic western German city of Muenster, released a joint statement asserting common positions on Ukraine, Russia, China, and recent developments in Iran and North Korea.
“We’re aligned, we’re united, and we’re working together as never before,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
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A year after warning Russia about the consequences of invading Ukraine, the G-7 ministers endorsed further punishments for the Kremlin, including setting a price cap for Russian oil exports in the coming weeks. They also pledged additional backing for Kyiv by creating a new way to assist with its reconstruction and to help other countries affected by the food and energy shortages exacerbated by the war.
“President [Vladimir] Putin bet that we wouldn’t back up our words with actions. We proved him wrong,” Blinken said, adding that G-7 sanctions and export controls have “directly impacted Putin’s ability to wage war.”
“We reiterate our unwavering commitment to continue providing the financial, humanitarian, defense, political, technical, and legal support Ukraine needs to alleviate the suffering of its people and to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said.
The ministers accused Russia of “trying to terrorize the civilian population” of Ukraine by targeting critical power, water and other infrastructure and demanded an end to the war.
“We will continue to impose economic costs on Russia and on other countries, individuals, or entities providing military support for Moscow’s war of aggression,” it said.
The G-7 is made up of the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States.
As the meeting ended, President Biden’s administration boosted its military assistance to Ukraine by $400 million, bringing the US contribution to more than $18.2 billion since Russia invaded Feb. 24.
The ministers also called out Iran for allegedly supplying weapons including drones to Russia and for a violent crackdown on antigovernment protesters. They condemned Iran’s “brutal and disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters and children” as well as Tehran’s “continued destabilizing activities in and around the Middle East.”