G7 meeting in Liverpool: warning to Russia – concerns about China

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would have “massive consequences”, warned the G7 states at their meeting in Liverpool. But not only the actions of Moscow was an issue there, but also the situation in China.

At the meeting of the foreign and development ministers of the G7 countries, China and Russia are not present, but they are the focus of the discussions.

The G7 countries warned Russia of “massive consequences” and “serious costs” if it invaded Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said at the end of the meeting in Liverpool that they take a “very clear” position with regard to such consequences for Moscow. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine must be resolved diplomatically.

Hope for the Normandy format

“Any kind of use of force to change borders is strictly forbidden under international law,” says the draft of the G7 declaration, from which the Reuters news agency quotes. “We call on Russia to de-escalate and seek diplomatic channels,” it said. The G7 expressly support the efforts of the so-called Normandy format. Consisting of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, this format achieved the Minsk Agreement to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Russia moved soldiers to the border

According to information from NATO and according to Ukrainian information, tens of thousands of additional Russian soldiers have been concentrated in the border regions with Ukraine. Accommodation and vehicles can be seen on satellite images. NATO therefore fears that a Russian attack on the neighboring country could be imminent. The Russian government repeatedly rejected this.

The Kremlin has already reacted to the G7 negotiations. Among other things, it has been made clear to US President Joe Biden that the soldiers pose no threat to anyone, according to the Russian government. You are “demonized” for relocating troops in your own country.

Russia was itself a member of the group between 1997 and 2014, which was then mostly referred to as the G8. This membership was suspended after the annexation of the Ukrainian Crimea in 2014. The United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan now make up the G7.

Intense debates about China

While Russia plays a major role in the acute threats, it is China’s long-term goals and strategies that are causing concern among the G7 countries. Reuters quoted a delegation member as saying that there had been “very, very intense debates” about the People’s Republic.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss made it clear that there were concerns about “economic coercive measures” from China. It is therefore important that the G7 group support other democratic states in investments and economic cooperation.

At the turn of the year, Germany will take over the chairmanship of the G7 from Great Britain. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had emphasized in Liverpool that the cooperation was based on the common understanding of a global economy based on the values ​​of democracy, the rule of law and human rights and interested in fair world trade and fair cooperation.