The G7 ready to recognize China as a “competitor” and “rival”

The G7 group of countries is determined to stop Russia from “starving” and “freezing” Ukrainians this winter and will discuss ways to bolster its support for Kiev at a two-day meeting in Germany.

“We will not allow the brutality of this war to lead to the mass deaths of the elderly and children, young people or families in the coming winter months,” said the minister on Thursday at the opening of this meeting of G7 heads of diplomacy in Münster, Germany. western.

The organization of support for Ukraine is at the top of the agenda of this meeting, with the idea of ​​sending a new message of firmness to Russia, which has been leading the offensive against Kiev since 24 February.

Baebock, whose country holds the G7 presidency until the end of the year, denounced Russia’s “treacherous methods” in its way of waging war by trying to “starve, thirst or freeze people by attacking civilian infrastructure. “.

Many Ukrainian cities, including the capital kiev, have been subjected to bombings in recent weeks which have hit civilian equipment in particular, causing cuts in water and electricity.

According to diplomatic sources, during the meeting, ministers will focus in particular “on the means to continue supporting Ukraine” in all areas, while Europeans and Americans are already providing massive economic and military aid.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected to intervene by videoconference during the discussion session on the war in Ukraine, according to other diplomatic sources.

“This G7 ministerial meeting comes at an important time for us,” a senior US diplomat told reporters, stressing that the group is “essential to create coordination mechanisms” for the international community’s response to ongoing crises, from the war. in Ukraine to North Korea.

In this regard, Ms Baerbock, as chairman of the G7, said she “firmly” condemned the new ballistic missile launch carried out by Pyongyang on Thursday, the day after a record salvo of blows that brought tension to the country. region.

“There are clear UN resolutions on nuclear tests, which are banned, which is why the announcement is a violation of international resolutions,” the minister said at the opening of a G7 meeting in Münster, West Germany.

China, a “rival” country.

The meeting, under the German presidency before Japan took power in January, is also set against the backdrop of recent government changes in Italy and the United Kingdom in particular, which led to another American diplomat claiming, on condition of anonymity. , it was necessary to make sure that everyone is on the same wavelength.

The energy crisis in Europe as winter approaches and the situation in Iran, shaken by bloody and violently repressed demonstrations, will also be at the center of the debates that will begin in the afternoon and continue on Friday.

Relations with Beijing will be discussed at a working dinner, amid the controversial visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to China on Friday. Mr. Scholz promised Wednesday that he “would not ignore the disputes” with Beijing during this trip.

The G7 countries are ready to see China as a “competitor” and a rival, “Baerbock said.

Japan “regularly emphasizes how important it is for us to recognize and see that China has changed in recent years, that it is not only a partner in international affairs, but also a competitor and much more a rival. And it is with this in mind that China will be on the agenda of the G7 meeting today, “he warned.

The G7 brings together the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Great Britain, Italy and Germany.