KARUIZAWA, Japan (AP) — Senior diplomats from the G7 democracies have vowed a tough stance on China’s growing threats to Taiwan and North Korea’s long-range missile tests, while building momentum for reinforce support for Ukraine and punish Russia for its invasion.
Russia’s war in Ukraine will be high on the agenda Monday as envoys gather in this Japanese hot springs city for the second day of talks aimed at paving the way for action by the G7 rulers during their summit next month in Hiroshima.
The world is at a “turning point” over the fighting in Ukraine and must “firmly reject unilateral attempts to forcibly upset the status quo, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its threats to use nuclear weapons,” Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told his counterparts.
As for the US delegation, the meeting comes at a crucial time in the world’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and efforts to deal with China, two issues that the foreign ministers of Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union see major challenges to the rules for world order established after World War II.
A senior federal official accompanying US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters that the goal of President Joe Biden’s administration is to bolster support for Ukraine, including a major initiative on Ukrainian energy infrastructure presented at the meetings. of last year’s G7 in Germany, as well as ensuring the continued supply of military assistance to Kiev. Increasing sanctions against Russia due to the conflict, particularly the economic and financial ones the G7 threatened with after the invasion, will also be a priority issue, the official said.
Ukraine faces an important moment in the coming weeks as the current Russian offensive is practically at a standstill and kyiv prepares a counteroffensive. The US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Blinken’s priorities in private meetings, said ways to increase support for Ukraine’s long-term defense and deterrence capabilities will be discussed. That could also improve kyiv’s position for possible negotiations that could end the conflict on its terms.
The role of Japan – the only Asian member of the G7 – as chair of this year’s talks offered an opportunity to talk about coordinated action on China. Heads of state and foreign ministers from the G7, most recently France and Germany, have recently concluded visits to China, and the diplomats in Karuizawa were expected to share their views on China’s position on various issues, including the war in Ukraine, North Korea and Taiwan, a particularly sensitive point in relations between Washington and Beijing.
At a working dinner on Sunday that was the first formal meeting of the foreign ministers, Hayashi urged continued dialogue with China on the many global challenges where Chinese involvement is seen as crucial. Chinese interests related to those of the world’s richest democracies include global trade, finance and climate initiatives.
But diplomats are also looking for ways to address China’s more aggressive attitude in the region, especially toward Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its own.
