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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Photo: ANTARA FOTO/SIGID KURNIAWAN) |
Moscow and Beijing condemned the G7 Summit in Hiroshima as leaders of major democratic nations promised new measures aimed at Russia. They also expressed their increasing concerns about China's actions in unison.
According to CNN, on Sunday (21/5/2023), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the G7 for following their own interests, accusing them of intending to obstruct Russia and China.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the G7 leaders of obstructing international peace. The Chinese government suggested the group should reflect on their behavior and change course.
The G7 meeting in Japan discussed the brutal Russian attack on Ukraine and how to deal with Beijing. However, the group articulated their shared position on China, stressing the need for cooperation with the world's second-largest economy while also standing up against "unfair practices" and "coercion" in their joint statement on Saturday.
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The leaders also promised new measures to hinder Russia's ability to finance and wage war, and pledged in a special statement to enhance their economic security coordination. This serves as a veiled warning to their members about what they perceive as China's trade weaponry, as well as Russia's.
The G7 agreement follows hardline stances on China in several European capitals. However, there are differing views on how to handle relationships with their main economic partner, who the US sees as "the most serious long-term challenge to the international order."
