Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is looking towards the G7 summit for support in their fight against Russian forces. The White House has made good progress on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to raise $50bn a year for Ukraine, with Japan signing a security deal and the US expected to follow suit. The G7 nations have been crucial supporters of Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, with frozen Russian assets totaling $325bn and interest generated being used creatively to provide financial aid.
Amidst shaky political situations in G7 countries, including upcoming elections and potential leadership changes, there is pressure to deliver support to Ukraine before any changes occur. The G7 summit also addresses issues such as the war in Gaza, migration, economic security, and the safety of artificial intelligence. Pope Francis, the first pontiff to attend a G7 summit, will discuss the regulation of AI and its potential impact on ethics and human rights. These discussions point towards a complex web of geopolitical challenges facing the world leaders gathered at the summit in Puglia, Italy.
