Chancellor Scholz takes part in G7 summit with Selenskyj
The Japanese spokesperson added that "important issues for the international community such as the situation in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East" would be discussed at the summit. German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said in Berlin that such a summit is a "standard procedure" at the end of every G7 presidency. There was no "acute reason".
The G7 includes the USA, Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and Canada. Japan will hand over the presidency of the group to Italy at the turn of the year.
Shortly before the announcement of Zelensky's participation in the G7 summit, the Ukrainian president had surprisingly canceled an equally virtual appearance before the US Congress. According to the majority leader of the Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, "something came up at the last minute".
Selensky had been expected to address members of Congress on Tuesday to ask for further military support for his country. However, the aid is currently being blocked by the Republican side in Congress - raising concerns that Western support for Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor Russia is waning.
Government spokesman Hebestreit said in Berlin that Germany would continue its support for Ukraine - financially and militarily. Germany will do this "as long as it is necessary - and it will remain independent of the decisions of other countries".
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- Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to attend the G7 summit alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj.
- The Japanese spokesperson highlighted that topics like the Ukraine situation and Middle East issues would be discussed during the summit.
- At a Berlin press conference, German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit emphasized that such summits are typical after each G7 presidency's end.
- No "acute reason" prompted the gathering, as the German official pointed out.
- The G7 is composed of the USA, Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and Canada.
- As the year draws to a close, Japan will transfer the presidency of the group to Italy.
- Zelenskyj's participation in the G7 summit was announced right before his canceled virtual meeting before the US Congress.
- According to US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a last-minute issue forced Zelenskyj to cancel his address to Congress.
- Selenskyj had intended to appeal for additional military support for Ukraine during his appearance before Congress members on Tuesday.
- However, the military aid request is currently facing obstacles from the Republican side in Congress, which raises concerns about Western support for Ukraine.
- Despite the internal Congress debate, German government spokesman Hebestreit assured that Germany would steadfastly support Ukraine financially and militarily.
- Japan's Hirokazu Matsuno will succeed Scholz as the G8 summit's presidency, inviting Italy, Germany, France, the USA, Canada, Great Britain, and Russia (assuming Russia is reinstated) for a potential discussion at Tokyo's first G8 meeting in four years.
Source: www.stern.de
