G7, NATO leaders to ratchet up pressure on Russia, keep eye on China — US officials

WASHINGTON — Leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy democracies and the NATO alliance will work to improve pressure on Russia over its conflict in Ukraine subsequent week, whereas underscoring their continued issues about China, senior US officials mentioned on Wednesday. 

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., leaves Saturday to meet with different G7 leaders in southern Germany earlier than heading to Madrid for a summit the place the North Atlantic Treaty Group (NATO) is predicted to announce plans to broaden its forces in japanese Europe and Washington will lay out steps to strengthen European safety. 

Inclusion, for the primary time, of leaders from Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand within the NATO summit was aimed toward exhibiting that the conflict in Ukraine has not detracted from Western nations’ focus on China, the officials mentioned. 

G7 leaders, assembly at an alpine citadel an hour south of Munich on June 26–28, are additionally anticipated to deal with China’s “coercive economic practices,” which have change into much more aggressive lately, one of many officials mentioned. 

“Russia’s war against Ukraine has galvanized our partnerships around the world,” a second official mentioned. “It’s also showing how Ukraine is not causing us to take our eye off the ball on China. In fact, quite the opposite.” 

Actually, a brand new strategic idea to be endorsed by NATO leaders after they meet in Madrid June 29–30 will deal with threats posed by Russia, and for the primary time, China, the official mentioned. 

Germany, which leads the G7 this yr, has additionally invited Argentina, India, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa to take part in choose classes on the summit. 

G7 leaders will launch a brand new infrastructure initiative aimed toward providing low- and middle-income international locations high-quality, clear funding alternate options, officials mentioned, a transparent reference to China’s Belt and Highway challenge, which has been criticized for opaque contracts and onerous mortgage phrases. 

“At the summit, we will roll out a concrete set of proposals to increase pressure on Russia and demonstrate our support collectively for Ukraine,” one of many officials mentioned, with out offering particulars. 

The influence of Russia’s conflict in Ukraine in driving vitality and meals costs sharply increased and jeopardizing low- and middle-income international locations might be one other point of interest, officials mentioned. 

“Leaders will also advance a vision of the world grounded in freedom and openness — not coercion, not aggression, not spheres of influence. They will strengthen our cooperation on economic issues, cyberspace and quantum, and in particular, the challenges posed by China,” the official added. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will deal with each conferences just about, mapping out his battle plan to counter Russia and the safety help his nation wants to carry it out, US officials mentioned. 

Mr. Biden will meet bilaterally with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and can meet in Madrid with Spanish President Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe, the officials mentioned. 

There was no announcement about any bilateral assembly between Mr. Biden and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who is obstructing plans for Finland and Sweden to be a part of NATO, however one of many officials mentioned Washington was assured that Turkey’s issues could be addressed and consensus could possibly be reached. — Andrea Shalal and Humeyra Pamuk/Reuters

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