Ukraine dominates the agenda at the G7 summit being hosted in Italy.

Bari, Italy, June 13 (IANS/DPA) – The G7 leaders are gathering in Italy for a three-day summit, with the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as rising trade and security tensions with China, dominating the agenda.

The G7 summit's location and notable attendees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to the summit, which begins on Thursday at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia, located southeast of Bari in Italy’s Apulia region.

This summit might be U.S. President Joe Biden's last G7 meeting before he faces former President Donald Trump in a highly anticipated U.S. presidential election five months later.

Political Pressures on European Leaders

European leaders are also feeling domestic political pressure. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will attend the summit following significant gains by far-right parties in the recent European Parliament elections.

These political shifts are creating uncertainties about the future political landscape in France and Germany. In Britain, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to face a significant challenge from the opposition Labour Party in the upcoming general election on July 4, marking a potential shift after 14 years of Conservative governance.

Ukraine at the Forefront

Ukraine will be the primary focus at the summit, with discussions centering on providing significant new aid packages to support Kyiv's defense against Russia.

The G7 leaders are expected to agree on financing a $50 billion loan for Ukraine, utilizing interest generated from frozen Russian state assets. Most of these assets, totaling around 210 billion euros, are within the European Union and produce billions in annual interest income.

Bilateral Security Agreement

In addition to the financial aid, Biden and Zelensky are set to sign a bilateral security agreement between the United States and Ukraine on the sidelines of the G7 summit, as confirmed by the White House. This agreement follows months of negotiations and aims to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities.

Sanctions on Russia

Ahead of the summit, the U.S. announced sanctions on over 300 individuals and entities linked to Russia's war economy. These sanctions target financial institutions, the Moscow Stock Exchange, and certain Chinese companies involved in supporting Russia.

Global Diplomatic Efforts

Ukraine remains a focal point in international diplomatic efforts. Prior to the G7 summit, Berlin hosted the Ukraine Recovery Conference, and following the G7 meeting, many leaders will attend a Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, which Russia will not participate in.

Additional Attendees and Topics

Alongside Zelensky, leaders from Turkey, Brazil, and India will also participate in the Italy talks. Notably, Pope Francis will attend the G7 summit, marking the first time a pontiff has participated.

He has been invited to discuss the potential risks posed by artificial intelligence. Other significant topics on the agenda include relations with Africa and migration issues.

Conclusion

The G7 summit in Italy is set to address crucial global issues, with Ukraine at the center of discussions. The outcome of these meetings will have significant implications for international relations, security, and economic policies amid a backdrop of political shifts and ongoing conflicts.