G7 in Italy: Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East dominate priorities

The Italian towns of Fiuggi and Anagni are set to become a theatre of international diplomacy for two days as they host the G7 meeting of foreign ministers.

It is the second G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting to be hosted in Italy in 2024 and the first summit after Donald Trump’s re-election to the White House.

The return of the Republican candidate to one of the world’s most important seats foreshadows scenarios that are not too reassuring, but G7 countries are keen to show they hope to maintain strong ties with Washington.

“The United States remains our main ally in promoting international stability in the world,” the Italian deputy prime minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday at a summit in Brussels.

Tajani said it was necessary for the EU to take the lead internationally and be more autonomous, while working to keep the new Trump administration committed to the transatlantic partnership.

On the table of the G7 in Lazio are the big international issues. The five sessions will discuss the situation in the Middle East and the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the political balance in the Indo-Pacific and the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukraine at the G7 table: ‘Support and closeness to Kiev’

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrij Sybiha will be present at the meeting in Fiuggi and Anagni, as announced by the head of the Farnesina last week on the sidelines of the Italy-Ukraine Business Forum.

“A thousand days after the start of the Russian invasion, with tens of thousands of dead on both fronts due to a wicked choice by President Vladimir Putin, as the country chairing the G7 we wanted to promote a declaration of support and closeness to Kiev by the heads of government,” the deputy prime minister said at the conclusion of the Forum last Wednesday.

“We are witnessing a very violent Russian offensive and we are sure that this closeness to the Ukrainian people is important,” he added.

Crisis in Gaza is ‘a priority’

According to Tajani, the crisis in the Middle East is a priority for the Italian presidency.

“We must keep the dialogue open with all the actors, asking them to exercise restraint and to work towards a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and the release of hostages’.

Tajani insists on the need to continue supporting the Unifil mission. For the Farnesina it is necessary “to promote a credible political horizon for the region that guarantees peace and security.”

The aim of the ministers from Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America is to strengthen the role of the G7 in contributing to international stability and finding solutions to global crises.

European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are set to participate in the group’s work.

Discussions are also planned on the stability of the Indo-Pacific, trade with China and the situation in Georgia following the recent elections.

For the Italian foreign minister, it is necessary to “maintain an open constructive dialogue with the Georgian authorities, while at the same time demanding clarity on the irregularities reported during the vote.”

The sessions will end on Tuesday afternoon with a press conference at which the final statements will be presented.