The top diplomats from G7 – the Group of Seven wealthy democracies declared a unified front against Russia’s war of aggression towards Ukraine.
They stated at the close of their meetings on Tuesday that they committed to boosting and enforcing tough sanctions against Moscow.
The G-7 communique, which laid out their commitments, also included strong words meant to curb what the ministers perceive as increasing Chinese and North Korean aggressiveness in Northeast Asia.
However, the highlight of the three-day summit in this hot spring resort town was Russia’s invasion against Ukraine.
The ministers stated, “Russia’s attacks against civilians and critical civilian infrastructure are war crimes and other atrocities for which there can be no impunity.”
The communique further stated that they remain committed to intensifying sanctions against Russia, coordinating and fully enforcing them, and would support Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”
“Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and its threat to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus are unacceptable,” the ministers said.
The foreign ministers prepared the document as a template for global leaders to use at a G-7 summit in Hiroshima next month. It included language about Iran, Myanmar, nuclear proliferation, and other “grave issues.”
The Two Crises
But two crises stood out: China’s increasing threats to, and military maneuvers around, Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its own, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The current offensive by Russia has largely stalled, and Ukraine is preparing a counteroffensive. However, there is widespread global worry about the Russian leader’s repeated threats to use tactical nuclear weapons.
The G-7 ministers from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, and the European Union underlined that their meeting in Karuizawa marked a crucial moment in the world’s response to both crises. They viewed these crises as challenges to the post-World War II rules-based international order.
Global efforts to confront the matters at the United Nations have been stymied by Chinese and Russian intransigence on the Security Council.
Leaders and foreign ministers of G-7 countries, most recently France and Germany, have recently concluded visits to China, and there is growing worry after China recently sent planes and ships to simulate an encirclement of Taiwan. Beijing has also been rapidly adding nuclear warheads, taking a tougher line on its claim to the South China Sea and painting a scenario of impending confrontation.
The G-7 ministers said that peace and stability between China and Taiwan is “an indispensable element in security and prosperity in the international community,” and the called for “the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.”
The communique also urged China to “abstain from threats, coercion, intimidation, or the use of force. We remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas. … There is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and we oppose China’s militarization activities in the region.”
