G7 ministers debate stronger action against Russia, despite US push for diplomatic rapprochement

The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) leading Western democracies convened in La Malbaie, Quebec, on March 13 for a critical two-day summit.

The meeting, held under Canada’s presidency of the G7, comes amid escalating tensions between the US and its allies, particularly concerning President Donald Trump's controversial foreign policy decisions on Ukraine and his recent imposition of tariffs, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The summit, involving representatives from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, and the European Union (EU), is taking place at a time when the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to dominate international discussions. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the war has strained relations across Europe and the US, with Western nations navigating how best to support Ukraine while addressing emerging geopolitical and trade tensions.

A central topic on the agenda will be updates on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent talks with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Ukraine has expressed readiness to support a potential 30-day ceasefire agreement, signaling an important shift in the war's dynamics. The G7 ministers are expected to discuss the implications of this progress and how it may influence international efforts to end the war and broker peace.

However, tensions between the US and its allies persist, particularly in the wake of Washington’s imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports. This move led to reciprocal measures from Canada and the EU, exacerbating the rift between the US and its traditional partners.

Furthermore, the US has sought to influence language in the G7 statement on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, pushing for stronger rhetoric on Ukraine’s sovereignty while opposing a separate declaration on curbing Russia’s "shadow fleet" – a network used to evade sanctions. The US also advocated for increased focus on China, further complicating the diplomatic conversation.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Rubio acknowledged the sensitive nature of the discussions, saying, "We’re going to be focused in the G7 on all of those things. That’s what the meeting is about. It is not a meeting about how we’re going to take over Canada." He emphasized Washington’s desire to avoid language that could harm ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table.

Despite the ongoing challenges, there is cautious optimism following positive developments in Jeddah. G7 diplomats indicated that the outcomes of those talks may help facilitate more productive discussions on Ukraine at the summit. Since Trump’s return to office in January, the US approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict has shifted, with a more urgent push for a swift resolution to the war and a demand for European partners to shoulder a larger share of responsibility in the peace process.

Japan, historically a key ally of the US, has also found itself caught in the crossfire of trade disputes with Washington. One European diplomat lightheartedly remarked, "It’s very difficult. Maybe we should wait for the G8," referring to Trump’s suggestion that the G8 could be revived with Russia’s potential re-entry after its suspension in 2014 due to its annexation of Crimea.

By Vafa Guliyeva