Liverpool, UK — When the UK hosts a foreign ministers’ meeting in the northern city of Liverpool, the world’s wealthiest democracies seek to present a united front to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Saturday.
The G7 meeting, attended directly by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his respondents from France, Italy, Germany, Japan and Canada, was held amid international concerns that Russia could invade Ukraine. increase. Russia has rejected plans for an attack.
“All we have to do is discourage Russia from taking that action,” British Foreign Minister Liz Truss told reporters before the meeting.
“This weekend’s G7 meeting will show unity between like-minded major economies and will show an absolutely strong stance against the aggression against Ukraine.”
Ukraine is at the center of the East-West relations crisis as it accuses Russia of rallying tens of thousands of troops in preparation for a possible large-scale military attack.
Russia has accused Ukraine and the United States of destabilizing their actions and said security is needed to protect their country.
The era of introspection
The UK, as the current chair of the G7, calls on its members to focus more on the defense of what is called the “free world.”
Earlier this week, Truss said the western “era of introspection” was over and we needed to awaken to the dangers of rival ideology. She emphasized, as an example, the economic risks of Europe’s dependence on Russian gas and the broader security threat posed by Chinese technology.
The G7 meeting is also expected to result in Iran’s joint call for relaxation of its nuclear program and an opportunity for ongoing talks in Vienna to revive a multilateral agreement on nuclear development. ..
Germany, which will take over the spinning G7 leadership from the UK next year, will launch the 2022 program at the conference. Ministers of the European Union, Australia, South Korea and India will attend several sessions as G7 guests with representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
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