G7 shows unity in the face of Russia
The crisis in eastern Ukraine remains the West's greatest current concern. Following a video call between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin aimed at defusing tensions, the G7 foreign ministers (US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan) are meeting this weekend in Liverpool to further discuss the situation. It should be noted that Russia used to be part of the exclusive group of the world's most industrialised economies, but after the annexation of Crimea it was excluded by the other members.
Liz Truss, the British minister, met with her US counterpart, Antony Blinken, before the summit. According to EFE news agency, both agreed to support Ukraine and expressed their "deep concern" over the build-up of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border. Also, at the start of the meeting with the other ministers, they warned Moscow of the "grave consequences" of an invasion of Ukraine. This warning comes on top of numerous recent Western threats against Russia. The latest was made by Biden, who warned of "strong economic and other measures" against Moscow in the event of an incursion into Ukraine.
Putin, for his part, has insisted that his country "pursues a peaceful policy", although "it has the right to ensure its security in the medium and long term". Just as the US and the EU have accused Russia of deploying troops on the Ukrainian border, Moscow has also denounced NATO's military activities near its territory. Indeed, the Russian government has called the Atlantic Alliance 'irresponsible' for its eastward expansion with 'threatening weapons'.
The UK, which recently decided to send troops back to Germany because of the situation in Ukraine, has said that Russian military action against its neighbour would be "a strategic mistake" that would entail "high economic and diplomatic costs". Truss, in the midst of an energy crisis, also called on 'democratic nations' to stay away from Russian gas.
"This meeting is an opportunity to show a united front against Russia's malign behaviour against Ukraine," the British minister told reporters ahead of the summit. "We need to defend ourselves against growing threats from hostile actors and we must unite firmly to confront aggressors who seek to limit the boundaries of freedom and democracy," Truss told her international counterparts at the start of the meeting.
The meeting comes on the heels of fresh warnings from the British armed forces. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the army chief, expressed concern about the "build-up of tens of thousands of Russian troops" on the Ukrainian border. He warned that a Russian invasion "would be on a scale not seen in Europe since the Second World War". General Nick Carter, the UK's chief of defence staff, also recently warned of the danger of an escalation of war, as the risk of 'a conflict between the West and Russia' is currently the highest since the Cold War.
Iran is also on the agenda at this weekend's summit as negotiations continue in Vienna to revive the nuclear deal. This dialogue is, in Truss' words, "the last chance" for Tehran to return to the deal. Other relevant issues on the G7 agenda include the new variant of the coronavirus, climate change, new tensions in the Balkans, Afghanistan and North Korea. The head of British diplomacy has also invited ministers from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), as London aims to increase cooperation with the countries of this region to boost trade after Brexit and to confront the influence of China.
The Asian giant was also part of the G7 ministers' dialogue. Truss, in particular, referred to the alleged Uighur genocide in Xinjiang. "The issue of genocide is a matter for the courts, but I am very concerned about the egregious human rights abuses against the Uighur people, and I have raised this with the Chinese ambassador," Truss said. This week, a British independent body accused Beijing of committing genocide against the Muslim ethnic group. However, the United States, Canada and the Netherlands, among other countries, have denounced China's policies against the Uighurs.
