G7 leaders' meeting - "Robbery remains robbery": Putin dismisses additional assistance for Ukraine.
The Russian president, Putin, made a threat towards the G7, which consists of seven major democratic industrial countries, regarding possible financial assistance for Ukraine. He considered the use of interest payments from frozen Russian state assets for aiding Ukraine as "theft." A noteworthy outcome came about during the gathering of the leaders of the G7 nations in this regard: They plan to grant Ukraine approximately $50 billion (roughly €47 billion) from a credit package. The country is expected to receive this money by the end of the year.
This decision was lauded by Germany, Italy, the USA, France, Britain, Canada, Japan, and the EU as a manifestation of unity among Western supporters of Ukraine. US President Joe Biden remarked: "Putin's reminder that we won't back down. Instead, we stand together against this unlawful aggression." Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it an unforeseen accomplishment that made her proud. "Now we need toiron out the technicalities."
Putin's Warning
Russian authorities haven't responded to the G7's decision as of Thursday, but Putin did address it during a speech at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, broadcast by state media. "They've found a way to make theft seem legal," he remarked. "But no matter what they do, theft remains theft." The Kremlin will not let this action go unchallenged.
A Possibility for Grace
The G7's focus on Ukraine shifted towards China, economic security, and migration issues during the second day of their meeting. At the luxurious "Borgo Egnazia" resort on the Adriatic coast of Italy, Pope Francis visited the summit, becoming the first Pope to attend a G7 conference since nearly fifty years ago. He's attending a session regarding Artificial Intelligence and may also use this opportunity to provide advice to the world leaders present, including controversial Argentine President Javier Milei.
A Celebratory Occasion
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose time after the European election results has been challenging for his SPD, experienced a more upbeat turn on his 66th birthday. During the first working session at the summit, his fellow G7 leaders sung "Happy Birthday" to him in front of the meeting room. Besides Biden, Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, EU heads Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, others were present too.
A Statement in the Works
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blocked the G7 from making a clear statement in favor of abortion rights at the G7 leader's meeting. Unnamed sources informed the German Press Agency about this development. Additionally, the G7 will be more critical of China, accusing the country of engaging in unfair business practices, such as subsidies, overcapacities, and profit distortion algorithms. These practices are adverse to the economic resilience of G7 countries, potentially at risk of job losses. Indirectly, Beijing faces the possibility of additional sanctions.
Agreeing on a Conclusion
Meloni, the Italian right-wing Prime Minister, officially declared yesterday that the G7 nations had reached an agreement on a final statement. The summit is set to close on the following day. Next in Switzerland, a Ukraine peace conference, which includes Scholz, will open.
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- Putin, the Russian president, criticized the G7's potential financial aid for Ukraine, labeling it as "theft."
- Despite Putin's objections, the G7 leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with approximately $50 billion from a credit package.
- This decision was met with approval by Germany, Italy, the USA, France, Britain, Canada, Japan, and the EU, showing unity among Western supporters of Ukraine.
- Joe Biden, the US President, responded to Putin's statement, saying that the G7 will not back down and stand together against unlawful aggression.
- Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, expressed her pride in this accomplishment for Ukraine, while acknowledging the need to tackle technicalities.
- Putin dismissed the G7's decision as "theft," vowing that the Kremlin would not let it go unchallenged.
- As the G7 leaders meeting proceeded, the focus shifted towards China, economic security, and migration issues.
- Pope Francis visited the G7 summit at the "Borgo Egnazia" resort in Southern Italy, becoming the first Pope to attend such a meeting in nearly fifty years.
- During his visit, Pope Francis attended a session on Artificial Intelligence and provided advice to world leaders, including Javier Milei, the controversial Argentine President.
- The G7's criticism of China intensified, accusing the country of engaging in unfair business practices that could lead to additional sanctions.
- Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, addressed the G7's decision during a speech at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, broadcast by state media.
- Olaf Scholz, the German Federal Chancellor, celebrated his 66th birthday at the summit, as his fellow G7 leaders sang "Happy Birthday" to him in front of the meeting room.
- Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, blocked the G7's clear statement in favor of abortion rights at the leaders' meeting.
- Volodymyr Selensky, the Ukrainian President, is expected to attend a peace conference in Switzerland, joining other leaders such as Olaf Scholz, Olaf Scholz, Joe Biden, and Olaf Scholz, among others, in an effort to find a resolution to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.
