US President Joe Biden is heading to Italy for the Group of Seven (G7) summit, focusing on increasing pressure on Russia over its conflict with Ukraine and addressing China’s support for Moscow.
The G7 leaders are tackling multiple global issues, despite dealing with significant challenges at home.
Biden, 81, spent Tuesday evening in Wilmington, Delaware, after a jury convicted his son, Hunter Biden, of lying about his drug use to illegally purchase a gun in 2018. This follows the criminal conviction of former President Donald Trump on May 30, who is also running in the upcoming November presidential election, showing a tight race in the polls.
From June 13-15, the G7 leaders will address key global issues, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, trade imbalances with China, threats from artificial intelligence, and development challenges in Africa.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said new sanctions and export controls against Russia would be announced at the summit.
These measures aim to target entities and networks aiding President Vladimir Putin’s forces in Ukraine. Washington plans to expand sanctions on semiconductor chip sales and other goods to Russia, focusing on third-party sellers in China.
Support for Ukraine
Securing funding for Ukraine is a top priority at the G7 meeting. U.S. and European officials are eager to establish solutions before a potential Trump re-election, which could create uncertainty regarding future U.S. support for Kyiv. The G7 nations and the European Union are considering using profits from immobilized Russian assets in the West to provide Ukraine with a large loan for 2025.
Kirby mentioned that steps would be announced to unlock the value of these immobilized Russian sovereign assets to benefit Ukraine and aid in its recovery.
Electoral Challenges and Key Meetings
G7 leaders also face electoral challenges, with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak likely to lose power in an upcoming national vote, and the leaders of France and Germany dealing with significant defeats in recent European elections. Biden will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, followed by a joint press conference, according to Kirby.
With Inputs from Reuters
