G7 ministers vow to continue imposing ‘economic costs’ on Russia

The Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) pledged to continue “imposing economic costs” on Russia, after more than eight months of its invasion of Ukraine, while pledging to continue supporting the North European nation. East.

As reported by Kyodo NewsIn a joint statement issued before concluding a two-day meeting in the western German city of Munster, top G7 diplomats also called for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue amid tensions over the self-ruled island. that China considers a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as the European Union representative, have led efforts to impose sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine since late February, such as freezing active against Russian President Vladimir Putin and the country’s central bank.

As Russia has stated its willingness to use nuclear weapons against the neighboring country, the statement said that Moscow’s “irresponsible nuclear rhetoric is unacceptable” and that any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons would face “serious consequences.” .

The G7 ministers also expressed their “unwavering commitment” to continue supporting Ukraine. They pledged to establish a coordination mechanism to help restore and defend Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, following Russian attacks on civilian targets that left many Ukrainians without electricity and water supplies.

Alleging that Iran has provided Russia with drones and military trainers deployed in the attack on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, the statement indirectly criticized Tehran’s involvement in the war. According to the Japanese government, the G-7 ministers agreed to ask Iran to stop providing “any support” to the Russian invasion.

US Launches Demining Training Project in Ukraine

The foreign ministers affirmed their commitment to provide relief goods to Ukraine “to meet its winterization needs”.

Top G-7 diplomats expressed strong opposition to “any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion”, and grave concern about the situation in and around the East and South China Seas, in a apparent reference to China’s maritime assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Stressing “the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” they called for a peaceful resolution of the cross-strait issues.

As for North Korea, the G7 ministers said they “strongly condemn the unprecedented series of illegal ballistic missile launches” by Pyongyang this year, citing a missile that was “recklessly launched” on October 4 and which flew over the Japanese archipelago for the first time in five years.

Amid speculation that the North is ready to carry out its seventh nuclear test, the first since September 2017, senior diplomats warned that “any nuclear test or reckless action must be met with a swift, united and international response.” robust.”

The G7 also stressed that their close cooperation with African nations is vital as the continent is especially vulnerable to food insecurity, climate change and the coronavirus pandemic.