G7 Foreign Ministers Meet on Russia

G7 Foreign Ministers Meet on Russia |

From Thursday, the foreign ministers of the G7 countries will discuss the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.

A focus of negotiations in Munster will be support for Ukraine after Russian attacks on the country’s energy supply ahead of next winter. At the same time, the G7, chaired by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), wants to seek ways to achieve greater independence from China and Russia.


Thousands of activists expected


The meeting takes place in the historic city hall of Münster – a place with symbolic power. More than 370 years ago, the Peace of Westphalia was negotiated there, considered a milestone on the way to a European peace order. At the demonstrations, the police expect thousands of activists. However, it has no indication of any specific danger.


Initially, it was unclear whether new sanctions against Russia would be decided in Münster. The G7 group also includes France, Italy, Japan, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Germany will hold the presidency until the end of the year.


Speech by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister


At the start of the G7 meeting (3:30 pm), Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will be connected behind closed doors in the Peace Hall of the historic town hall. After that, the G7 should discuss again among themselves how to coordinate winter aid for Ukraine and how to finance it. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin’s latest nuclear threats are likely to be discussed as well.


Later, the G7 wanted to talk about fighting high inflation, rising energy prices and collapsing supply chains. At a dinner at the city’s “Armoury”, the ministers want to discuss future negotiations with China. China’s President Xi Jinping has just been strengthened in power at a Communist Party congress. In view of Chinese threats to Taiwan, there should also be talks on strengthening partnerships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.


Iran will be the topic on Friday


The US demand that the country be expelled from the UN Commission on Women’s Rights will likely play a role in discussions planned for Friday over the brutal crackdown on system-critical mass protests in Iran. US Vice President Kamala Harris announced that she wanted to work closely with partners.


Baerbock also invited the foreign ministers of Ghana and Kenya and a representative of the regional organization African Union to the consultations on Friday. Ghana and Kenya are currently non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. Among other things, conflicts in Africa and strategic issues such as global warming, food and energy security and the consequences of the corona pandemic will be discussed.