G-7 poised to boost pressure on China over Russian support

The Group of Seven (G-7) is preparing to intensify pressure on China over its growing support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

During their meeting in Italy this week, the G-7 foreign ministers are expected to pledge “unwavering commitment” to Ukraine and outline measures against nations, particularly China, that are aiding Russia’s military efforts, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

 A draft of the communique, seen by Bloomberg, highlights the intention to take “appropriate measures consistent with our legal systems” against entities in China and other third countries supporting Russia’s war efforts.

This shift in tone reflects growing concerns about China’s increasing role in supporting Russia, particularly as NATO allies have accused Beijing of facilitating Russia’s war by providing dual-use weapons. The G-7’s statement, if finalized, would mark a stronger stance than earlier statements, where China was merely urged to stop supporting Russia. The new draft also emphasizes continued pressure on Russia’s revenues, particularly from energy and metals, as well as actions targeting Russia’s covert “shadow fleet,” which helps bypass sanctions and price caps on Russian oil.

The foreign ministers are also expected to discuss the implications of China’s involvement, following reports that Chinese and Russian companies are jointly developing attack drones similar to Iranian models used in Ukraine. This has heightened concerns that China might provide more direct lethal aid to Russia, which the West has warned against.

Additionally, the draft condemns North Korea’s involvement in the conflict, specifically its deployment of soldiers to Ukraine, marking a dangerous escalation. The communique also expresses concerns over North Korea’s nuclear activities. While some nations, such as Italy, have opposed the use of long-range weapons against Russia, the G-7 is likely to finalize a message of continued diplomatic pressure, urging de-escalation and highlighting the dangers posed by external actors in the conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva