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Marco Rubio, Secretary of State | Wikimedia

G7 foreign ministers address global issues at Munich Security Conference

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The G7 Foreign Ministers, representing Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, convened on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. This marked their first meeting under Canada's 2025 presidency.

The discussions centered on Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The ministers emphasized a collective effort to achieve lasting peace and ensure Ukraine's prosperity. They stressed developing security guarantees to prevent future conflicts.

In talks with Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the G7 reiterated its significant role in supporting Ukraine financially through extraordinary revenues from Russian Sovereign Assets and by imposing sanctions against Russia. The ministers affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The provision of dual-use assistance to Russia by China and military assistance by DPRK and Iran was condemned by the G7 members.

The Middle East was another focal point. The ministers discussed political and humanitarian issues in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran while reaffirming commitment to regional peace. They supported efforts towards an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement and a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Positive developments in Lebanon were noted following recent political changes. The G7 committed to supporting stability in both Lebanon and Syria.

Iran faced criticism for its uranium enrichment activities without credible civil justification and other destabilizing actions across the Middle East.

A free Indo-Pacific region remained a priority for the G7. They opposed any forceful changes to status quos or restrictions on navigation freedom imposed by China in the South China Sea.

North Korea’s nuclear program raised serious concerns among G7 members who called for complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as per UN resolutions. They also urged North Korea to halt any support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Finally, urgent global conflicts such as those in Congo, Sudan, Haiti, and Venezuela were addressed during this session. The next meeting is scheduled for March 12-14 in Charlevoix, Quebec.

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