G7 and NATO leaders will increase pressure on Russia and monitor China, according to U.S. officials

• Before travelling to Madrid for the summit, where NATO is anticipated to announce plans to increase its soldiers in eastern Europe, President Joe Biden will meet with other G7 leaders in southern Germany on Saturday.
• The leaders of Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand were invited to the NATO summit for the first time to demonstrate that the conflict in the Ukraine has not distracted Western countries from their focus on China, according to the authorities.
• A second official stated that “Russia’s conflict against Ukraine has energised our partnerships around the world.” 

Senior U.S. officials said on Wednesday that leaders from the Group of Seven wealthy countries and the NATO alliance will strive to boost pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine while reiterating their ongoing concerns about China.

Before travelling to Madrid for the summit, where NATO is anticipated to announce plans to increase its soldiers in eastern Europe, President Joe Biden will meet with other G7 leaders in southern Germany on Saturday. Washington will also spell out initiatives to strengthen European security.

The leaders of Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand were invited to the NATO summit for the first time to demonstrate that the conflict in the Ukraine has not distracted Western countries from their focus on China, according to the authorities.

One of the insiders stated that the G7 leaders will likely discuss China’s “coercive economic policies,” which have gotten even more aggressive in recent years, during their June 26–28 summit at an Alpine castle an hour south of Munich.

A second official stated that “Russia’s conflict against Ukraine has energised our partnerships around the world.” “Additionally, it demonstrates how Ukraine is not leading us to lose focus on China. Quite the reverse, in fact.”

In reality, the official stated that a new strategic concept that would be approved by NATO leaders when they meet in Madrid on June 29–30 will address challenges posed by China and Russia for the first time.

Germany, which leads the G7 this year, has also invited Argentina, India, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa to participate in select sessions at the summit.

Argentina, India, Indonesia, Senegal, and South Africa have also been asked by Germany, the G7 leader this year, to take part in specific summit sessions.

According to officials, the G7 leaders will announce the launch of a new infrastructure initiative aimed at providing low- and middle-income nations with high-quality, transparent investment options. This is a clear allusion to China’s Belt and Road initiative, which has come under fire for having murky contracts and onerous loan terms.

One of the officials stated, without going into further detail, “At the summit, we will roll out a clear set of recommendations to boost pressure on Russia and express our joint support for Ukraine.”

Another focus will be on how Russia’s war in Ukraine affects low- and middle-income countries by imperilling them and significantly increasing the cost of food and energy.

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