G7 kick-off
Boris Johnson warns that only Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin is currently helping if peace negotiations are too quick
Against an idyllic mountain backdrop, the powerful of the G7 want to send a signal of determination against Moscow and Beijing. Meanwhile, Russian troops in eastern Ukraine are making further territorial gains.
Summit start at Schloss Elmau on Sunday afternoon: in the foreground US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) and host and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right).
At the start of the G7 summit in idyllic Upper Bavaria, the heads of state met bilaterally. The overarching theme: Russia’s war against Ukraine. In the final declaration of the G7, China’s anti-democratic actions should also be explicitly emphasized.
US President Joe Biden first spoke to host Olaf Scholz in the morning. Germany holds the G7 presidency, which is why the summit of the powerful will once again – as in 2015 – be held at Schloss Elmau near the holiday destination of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The US President praised the German Chancellor, who was under pressure both domestically and abroad for his hesitant military aid to Ukraine – especially when it came to military aid for NATO and Ukraine. The President emphasized “his appreciation” for Germany, said a senior adviser to Biden.
In Washington, it is noted with goodwill that Scholz has brought himself to make modern multiple rocket launchers available to Ukraine. Scholz said in a short statement after the meeting:
“Germany and the United States will always act together when it comes to questions of Ukraine’s security.”
Both Biden and Scholz agreed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that “ultimately there must be a negotiated solution to the conflict,” the Biden adviser continued. What such a solution could look like is up to Ukraine to decide.
After talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson emphasized that the war in Ukraine is in a “critical phase” in which there is an opportunity “to turn the tide of the war.” Johnson warned against seeking a negotiated solution to the war now. At the current time, the concessions to Russia are probably too big.
“Any attempt to settle the conflict now would create lasting instability and enable President Putin to permanently manipulate sovereign states and international markets.”
Johnson also stressed that unity with Russia must be maintained – even though the sanctions against Moscow are also affecting the West and energy, grain and consumer spending are rising due to the war. Otherwise, Putin will be successful in his attempt to split the West. “The pressure is there and the concern is there, we have to be honest about it.”
This photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense is intended to demonstrate rocket fire against Ukrainian troops. It is unknown where the recording came from.
As the G7 debate how to stop Putin, Russian forces are making headway in eastern Ukraine. After taking the city of Sievjerodonetsk, Russian troops are said to have advanced into the neighboring city of Lysychansk in the Luhansk region. The Russian attacks also targeted the capital Kyiv, which was rocked by multiple explosions on Sunday. According to reports, the central Ukrainian city of Cherkasy was also bombed by the Russian side.
The G7 countries want to increase their pressure on Russia during their summit, which lasts until Tuesday. A new package of sanctions against Russia may be passed. In addition, the G7 wants to ban imports of Russian gold. US President Joe Biden announced the import ban on Russian gold. This will hit Russia hard.
Ukraine appealed to the G7 to supply more arms to Ukraine and impose tougher sanctions on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to join the conference via video this Monday.