Talks to focus on Russian war in Ukraine, Japan and European countries
reluctant to slash trade with Russia and China
US President, Joe
Biden, on Thursday arrived in Hiroshima, Japan, to attend the Group of Seven
(G7) Summit to discuss the war in Ukraine and China's rising power and
influence.
The US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, while
speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One said: "I think you will see,
coming out of this summit, alignment and convergence around fundamental
principles of our approach to the People's Republic of China."
While attending the G7 summit, Biden is expected to unite the
G7 countries and raise pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine with
their support.
Following the opening of the three-day summit,
Biden spoke with the Japanese Prime Minister and host of the summit, Fumio
Kishida.
At the historic Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Kishida
will be welcoming the other G7 leaders on Friday, that include Canada,
Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. In the meeting, the G7
leaders will declare further sanctions against Russia and some measures
against China.
The high-profile gathering of developed countries will also be
attended by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Other topics
of discussion include nuclear disarmament, artificial intelligence, climate
change, economic security and improved cooperation with developing
countries, Al-Jazeera reports.
Although there are expectations to increase pressure on Russia to end
the war in Ukraine, Japan and European countries seem reluctant to cut off
trade with Russia and China as much as Washington requires from them.
Previously, according to a Financial Times report, Japan and
European countries refused a US proposal that advised effectively banning
Russian exports.
Recently, President Biden returned home early,
after cancelling his visits to Australia and Papua New Guinea, to attend
talks with Congress about increasing the US government's debt ceiling.
