The Story

The Group of Seven (aka, the G7) just wrapped their annual chit-chat.

Remind me.

Every year, leaders from seven of the world’s most powerful democratic countries (including France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Canada, Japan, and the US) reunite to talk about shared values and attempt to tackle the world’s problems. This year, leaders of some international organizations (think: the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund) and other nations (think: India, Indonesia, South Korea) joined the squad in Hiroshima for some of the convos. As did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

So Russia was on the agenda?

You bet. But that’s just one of many topics that came up. Here’s the TLDR…    

• Russia’s war on Ukraine. After a last-minute change of plans, President Zelenskyy appeared in person at the G7 summit on Saturday. His main goal: rallying more international support against Russia. To that end, the G7 doubled down on their “unwavering support” of Ukraine and unveiled a wave of tough new sanctions meant to crack down on those working with Russia — and make it harder for Russia to fund the war. The group also called on China to urge Russia to withdraw troops in Ukraine. Plus, President Biden told his counterparts that the US would support a joint effort to train Ukrainian pilots on advanced fighter aircrafts, including F-16s. President Zelenskyy called the move “historic,” while Russia said it’d be a “colossal risk” for Western countries.

• Tensions with China. Surprise, surprise, the G7’s relationship with China is complicated. Case in point: China’s increasing aggression toward Taiwan. And its economic retaliation against countries that aren’t serving its political interests. The G7 expressed “serious concern" over Beijing’s expanded military presence in the East and South China Seas. And it called for a “peaceful resolution” to territorial disputes over Taiwan. The group also said it was taking stock of other trade options — with the goal of “de-risking, not de-coupling” economic ties with China. And it agreed on an initiative that would increase their ability to detect and respond to “economic coercion.” China, meanwhile, claimed these moves are “hindering international peace.” 

• Nuclear weapons. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hosted the group in Hiroshima. No, not as an excuse for a little hometown date. But as a powerful nod to the risks of nuclear war (reminder: much of the city was obliterated by a US-dropped atomic bomb during World War II). With that backdrop, G7 leaders committed to focusing on nuclear disarmament — a move that’s perhaps become even more difficult in the wake of Russia’s nuclear threats, as well as China and North Korea’s nuclear developments.

• Other challenges. Turns out, concerns around AI aren’t confined to the US. And G7 leaders agree that oversight is necessary. Not to mention the elephant in the room: the potential US debt default. Particularly since President Biden cut his trip short — forcing a sideline Quad meeting — so that he could return to Washington for continued negotiations.