BORGO EGNAZIA, Italy — Leaders of the Group of Seven major democracies agreed on an outline deal on Thursday to provide $50 billion of loans for Ukraine using interest from Russian sovereign assets frozen after Moscow invaded its neighboor in 2022.
The political agreement was the centerpiece of the opening day in southern Italy of the annual summit of G-7 leaders, attended for a second successive year by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He signed a new, long-term security accord with U.S. President Joe Biden after signing a 10-year security accord with Japan, with Tokyo promising to provide Kyiv with $4.5 billion this year — underlining continued strong backing from the West.
Calling the frozen asset agreement a “significant outcome”, Biden told reporters it was “another reminder to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin that we’re not backing down.”
The G-7 plan for Ukraine is based on a multi-year loan using profits from some $300 billion of impounded Russian funds, the bulk of which are blocked in the European Union.
The technical details will be finalised in the coming weeks, with the new cash expected to reach Kyiv by the end of this year thanks to contributions from all G-7 states — the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Japan and Italy.
“This is a very clear commitment that should embolden the Ukrainians to do what they need to do defend their independence and sovereignty,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The aim of the deal is to ensure it can run for years regardless of who is in power in each G-7 state – a nod to concerns that U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump may be much less sympathetic to Kyiv if he beats Biden in November’s election, according to a person close to the talks.
Russia regards attempts by the West to take income from its frozen assets as criminal, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday, adding that Moscow’s response would be very painful for the European Union.
Struggles at home
Many of the G-7 leaders are struggling at home but looked to project confidence on the world stage as they confront an array of problems, including China’s economic ambitions, the growth of artificial intelligence and turmoil in the Middle East.
The leaders expressed their concerns about the situation on the Israel-Lebanon border and endorsed U.S. efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza war, according to a draft communique due to be released following the summit.
In addition, they called on Israel to refrain from a full-scale offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, “in line with their obligations under international law”.
Western nations are also expected to voice both unanimous concern over China’s industrial overcapacity, which they say is distorting global markets, and their determination to help African states develop their economies, diplomats said.
The G-7 may have a very different complexion next year.
Biden faces an uphill battle to win re-election in November, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looks certain to lose power in a national election next month, while French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved his country’s parliament on Sunday after his party was trounced in the European vote.
All smiled broadly as they greeted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni under a blazing Mediterranean sun at the entrance to the Borgo Egnazia resort where the summit is being held.
However, the display of unity was undermined late in the day, when Macron clashed with the anti-abortion Meloni over a push by Italy to remove any direct reference to abortion rights in the final communique.
China to dominate talks today
While Ukraine dominated the first day of talks, China will be the key issue on Friday morning.
Leaders are expected to voice concern about China’s excess industrial capacity and its support for Russia.
The U.S. this week imposed fresh sanctions on China-based firms supplying semiconductors to Russia, amid worries over Beijing’s increasingly aggressive stance against Taiwan and run-ins with the Philippines over rival maritime claims.
“China is not supplying weapons (to Russia) but the ability to produce those weapons and the technology available to do it, so it is in fact helping Russia,” U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters at the summit after signing a bilateral security pact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
On Tuesday, the EU announced it would impose extra duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese electric cars from July, risking retaliation from Beijing, which vowed to take measures to safeguard its interests.
However, there are differences within the G-7 over how to counter Chinese state subsidies, with Europe anxious to avoid an all-out trade war with Beijing.
Papal audience
Besides his speech on AI, the Pope will hold multiple bilateral meetings, including with Biden, Zelenskyy and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
“It is a historic day. We will welcome the Holy Father. It is the first time for a pontiff at a G-7. I am proud it will happen under the Italian presidency,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told reporters on Thursday.
Leaders will also discuss immigration, a crucial issue for Meloni who is pushing Europe to help her curb illegal flows from Africa and has launched a flagship plan to boost development in the continent to tackle the root cause of the departures.
Many of the leaders will leave Italy late on Friday, including Biden, and Meloni said they had already agreed on the summit’s conclusions, to be approved at the end of the day.
On Saturday, there will be room for bilateral meetings for those staying on, ahead of a final news conference from Meloni.