G-7 Diplomats Reject China, North Korea, Russia Invasion

Karuizawa – Leading G7 diplomats take tough stance on China’s growing threat to Taiwan and North Korea’s unchecked long-range missile test, boost support for Ukraine and punish Russian aggression The method is gaining momentum.

On the second day of talks aimed at paving the way for action by G7 leaders in Hiroshima next month, special envoys met at the Japanese hot spring resort on Monday to keep Russia’s war in Ukraine on the agenda. will consume a lot.

The world is at a “tipping point” in the fight against Ukraine and “must resolutely reject any unilateral attempts by force to change the status quo, any Russian attack on Ukraine or the threat of the use of nuclear weapons,” said Hayashi of Japan. Foreign Minister Yoshimasa said. His colleague, according to the Japanese summary.

For the American delegation, this conference comes at a crucial time in the world’s reaction to Russian aggression. Ukraine These two issues are seen by the G7 ministers of Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union as potential challenges to post-World War II rules-based policy. international order.

A senior U.S. official traveling with Secretary of State Antony Brinken told reporters that the goal of the Biden administration’s talks was to focus on major issues related to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which were launched at the G-7 meeting in Germany last year. It is to strengthen support for Ukraine, including initiatives. Ensure the continued provision of military assistance to Kiev. Tightening punishments for Russia for the conflict will also be a priority, officials said, especially through economic and financial sanctions first threatened by the G-7 in December 2021 before the invasion. .

Ukraine faces a critical moment in the coming weeks as Russia’s current offensive largely stalls and Ukraine prepares to counterattack. A senior U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Blinken’s priorities at a closed-door meeting, said there were discussions about how to deepen support for Ukraine’s long-term defense and deterrence. It may also improve Kiev’s position for potential negotiations that could end the conflict on its terms.

As the only G7 member in Asia, Japan’s role as chair of this year’s meeting provides an opportunity to discuss coordinated action against China. The leaders and foreign ministers of the G-7 countries, most recently France and Germany, recently completed their visits to China. Diplomats in Karuizawa are expected to discuss their impressions of China’s position on a number of issues, including wars in Ukraine and North Korea. South Korea and Taiwan are particularly problematic in US-China relations.

At a closed-door working dinner Sunday evening, the first formal meeting of diplomats, Lin urged continued dialogue with China on a number of global issues where participation from Beijing is seen as essential. bottom. Among China’s interests intertwined with those of wealthy democracies are global trade, finance and tackling climate change.

But diplomats are also trying to address China’s recent more aggressive stance in Northeast Asia, which threatens Taiwan, an autonomous democracy Beijing claims to be its own.

“We will continue to build constructive and stable relations, while at the same time expressing our concerns directly and ensuring that China acts as a responsible member of the international community,” Lin told the foreign minister, according to a summary of the closed-door dinner. He said it was necessary to call out.

China recently sent planes and ships to simulate war. Siege of TaiwanBeijing is also rapidly adding nuclear warheads and taking its territorial claims in the South China Sea more forcefully, painting a scenario of imminent confrontation.

Concerns in Japan are seen in recent efforts to move significantly away from post-World War II doctrine of self-defense only, as it grapples with acquiring first-strike capabilities and cruise missiles to counter the growing threat. can be done.

Brinken, a top US diplomat, was due to visit Beijing in February, but the trip has been postponed chinese spy balloon Incident in US airspace, not yet rescheduled.

blinken On the sidelines of the Munich Security Forum, he met briefly with Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, but high-level contact between Washington and Beijing became rare. and will seek insights from its German counterparts, said a senior U.S. official.

Despite signs that the G-7 are divided over China, such as comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, the official said that concerns about China’s actions were shared among the G-7 nations. said there is. The official added that the foreign ministers will discuss how to continue their cooperative approach to China.

North Korea is also an important concern for Japan and other neighbors in the region.

Since last year, North Korea has launched about 100 missiles. intercontinental ballistic missile It showed the potential to reach the mainland United States and various other short-range weapons that threaten South Korea and Japan.

Hayashi said, “We express grave concern over North Korea’s unprecedented frequency and method of ballistic missile launches, including the launch last week, and the G-7 Foreign Minister strongly condemned North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile launches. I did,” he said. summary.