G7 foreign ministers look for alignment on Ukraine war, China

During the two-day meeting, the G7 diplomats will join sessions on Ukraine, China and the Indo-Pacific as well as Iran and Africa, among others.

Group of Seven foreign ministers gather in Germany on Thursday to discuss how to better align policies and stay united in the face of intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine, China’s growing assertiveness and Iran’s crackdown on protesters.

The meeting in the western German city of Muenster comes as concerns persist over the West’s consistency against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine amid leadership changes across Europe. A possible U.S. Republican victory to take control of Congress in next week’s midterm elections also raises fears over potential curbs to U.S. assistance to Ukraine.

“This G7 ministerial is, for us, coming at an important time,” a senior U.S. State Department official said, noting that the group “has been a vital coordinating mechanism” for policy approaches on the most pressing issues.

During the two-day meeting, the G7 diplomats will join sessions on Ukraine, China and the Indo-Pacific as well as Iran and Africa, among others.

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said on Tuesday during a visit to Kyiv that the European Union, together with partners, was exploring ways to increase help for Ukraine’s energy sector.

Ukraine needed specific equipment and tools to repair damage to its energy infrastructure, she said. Foreign companies should be urged to prioritise the transfer of energy equipment to Ukraine.

The G7 meeting will also provide an opportunity for the world’s richest democracies to discuss developments in China and security in the Indo-Pacific after Chinese President Xi Jinping consolidated his grip on power at last month’s Communist Party Congress.

Xi said in a speech at the opening of the congress that China would never renounce the use of force to ensure unification with the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which it claims as sovereign territory.