G7 Foreign Ministers to discuss Russo-Ukrainian war, increasing pressure on Moscow

The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries will discuss Russia's war against Ukraine and increasing pressure on Moscow on Monday on the second day of their meeting in the Japanese city of Karuizawa.

Kyodo reports this with reference to an interlocutor in the government of Japan, which holds the G7 presidency this year, Ukrinform reports.

Top diplomats of the world’s seven most industrialized countries and the European Union plan to discuss ways to increase the effectiveness of Russia sanctions and to close loopholes that allow the Kremlin to retain access to advanced technologies.

Read also: G7 countries reaffirm commitment to Ukraine and readiness to impose new sanctions against Russia

The G7 foreign ministers will also consider cooperation with the Global South important for a rules-based international order, as many countries, including India, are neutral on the war in Ukraine, refraining from taking punitive measures against Moscow.

The G7 representatives will also exchange views on strengthening ties with developing economies and the situation in the Indo-Pacific region amid China's growing influence.

The situation of Taiwan will also be a key topic of discussion as tensions between Washington and Beijing are simmering over the self-ruled democratic island, which China considers its territory, not ruling out the use of force to “regain” it.

On Sunday, the first day of the meeting, ministers agreed that there must be unity in addressing the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, where China has stepped up its presence, and North Korea, which continues to develop nuclear weapons and test ballistic missiles.

Read also: G7 foreign ministers to demand immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine - media

The G7 consists of the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the United States, and the European Union.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said ahead of the meeting that the G7 should prove to the Russian president that he would not achieve his goals in Ukraine.