The Group of Seven (G7) major powers vowed on Friday to enhance Ukraine’s air defenses in response to escalating Russian attacks and urged China to cease support for Moscow’s military sector if it sought positive relations with the West.
Foreign ministers from the G7 nations, including the United States, Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Britain, concluded three days of discussions on the island of Capri, with a focus on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Recognizing the need for increased support to Ukraine in its battle against more formidable Russian forces, the ministers emphasized the importance of de-escalation in the Middle East, where tensions between Israel and Iran pose a significant risk of sparking broader regional conflict.
Despite the multitude of global crises, the ministers highlighted how these challenges are bringing leading democracies closer together.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said: “We emerge from this meeting of the foreign ministers more united than ever”.
Expressing concern over the increasing Russian advances on the battlefield, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba made a personal appearance in Capri to urge G7 allies to provide additional aid, stressing the interconnectedness of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Kuleba highlighted that Iran provides Russia with similar armed drones to those used in last week’s significant assault on Israel. He said:
“The narrative that the West has to choose between supporting Israel or Ukraine is wrong because these are two theatres of the same war”.
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In a statement, the G7 announced plans to enhance security assistance for Kyiv, focusing on strengthening “Ukraine’s air defense capabilities to safeguard lives and critical infrastructure.”
Despite two years passing since the initiation of its invasion, Russia continues to target vital Ukrainian energy infrastructure, resulting in the loss of hundreds of civilian lives in its attacks. Russia maintains that the energy system is a legitimate target and denies intentionally targeting civilians.