By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL- The G7 Summit wrapped up on Sunday with significant milestones for the group of G7 nations. In a historic move, on Saturday, G7 leaders produced their most comprehensive statement on China ever. While emphasizing cooperation with the powerhouse nation, there was also mention of the need to thwart what G7 leaders labeled as “malign practices” and “coercion” by China toward other nations. The leaders pledged new measures to cut off Russia being able to finance and fuel its war on Ukraine. They also produced a committed statement on increasing coordination of their economic security in light of what is seen as a weaponization of trade from China and Russia. China is viewed by the U.S. as “the most serious long-term challenge to the international order.”
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned Russia as he concluded the summit at the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park. Kishida condemned Russia not only for its unprovoked assault on Ukraine, also for its repeated nuclear weapon threats. For the Japanese, such threats are particularly harsh since Japan was the only nation who suffered from an atomic bomb attack in 1945. With regard to Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Bidense announced a new $375 million package of military aid to Ukraine while assuring Zelensky the U.S. is doing its utmost to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The aid is set to include ammunition, artillery, armored vehicles and training. At the start of the summit, Biden announced the OK on providing Ukraine with advanced fighter jets. As Biden reiterated: “Together with the entire G7, we have Ukraine’s back and I promise we’re not going anywhere.” Biden also proposed U.S. support for a joint effort with allied and partner nations to train Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter aircraft like the F-16. He also highlighted his government’s willingness to assist in building Ukraine’s long-term capacity to defend against and deter further Russian aggression.
In a reaction to the G7 statement on China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded with a statement: “The massive unilateral sanctions and acts of ‘decouplng’ and disrupting industrial and supply chains make the U.S. the real coercer that politicizes and weaponizes economic and trade relations.” It added that the “international community” will not accept “the G7-dominated Western rules that seek to divide the world based on ideologies and values.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his longstanding concerns about China’s actions that include military activities in the South China Sea. Albanese urged “transpareancy” from Beijing over the detention of Australian journalist Cheng Lei. Prior to the G7 Summit, China hit back at G7 leaders for what it deemed as an attack on its intentions.
The EU and the UK don’t view China in a positive light, especially since Chinese leader Xi Jing Pin has strengthened his ties with Russian leader Vladimir Putin despite accusations of war crimes against Putin and the ICC decision handed down on Putin, months ago. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday that China “presents the greatest risk to security and prosperity.” China’s increasing military aggression toward Taiwan as well as its dismal human rights record with minority groups in its Xinjiang region– specifically the Uyghur group has put it at odds with a number of Western countries. On Saturday, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the G7 for what it called an agenda whose goal is to “deter” Russia and China. Then China’s Foreign Ministry accused the leaders of “hindering international peace.”
New York Başkonsolosu Reyhan Özgür ile bir araya gelen Adams, olay yerini gezerek saldırıya ilişkin bilgi aldı. Saldırıya ilişkin soruşturmayı kendilerinin de en üst düzeyde takip edeceklerini belirten Adams, Cumhurbaşkanlığı seçimi ikinci tur oy kullanma işlemlerinin devam ettiği katı ziyaret etti.
Konuyla ilgili güvenlik sorunlarına dikkat çeken Özgür yaptığı açıklamada, “Güvenlik önlemlerinin Türkevi’nin etrafında artırılmasını talep ettik. Daha evvel de benzer şeyler oldu. Ne kadar haklı olduğumuz ortaya çıktı. Eskiden burada bir güvenlik kulübesi vardı. Bunun buraya 24 saat esaslı tekrar yerleştirilmesini talep ediyoruz. Türkevi’nin güvenliği konusunda daha duyarlı olmalarını istedik” ifadelerini kullandı.
