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

“We will not allow the brutality of this war to lead to a mass death of older people and children, young people or families in the coming winter months,” said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday at the opening of this meeting, head of diplomacy of the G7 in Münster, im west of Germany.

Organizing support for Ukraine is high on the agenda of this meeting, with the idea of ​​sending a new message of determination to Russia, which has been leading the offensive against Kyiv since February 24.

Ms Baebock, whose country will chair the G7 until the end of the year, condemned Russia’s “treacherous methods” of waging war by attempting to “starve, die of thirst or freeze people through attacks on civilian infrastructure”.

Many Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, have come under bombardment in recent weeks, targeting in particular civilian equipment and causing water and power cuts.

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

According to other diplomatic sources, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is due to intervene via video conference during the discussion session on the war in Ukraine.

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

In that regard, Ms. Baerbock, President of the G7, said she “strongly condemned” Pyongyang’s new ballistic missile launch on Thursday, the day after a record barrage of fire that increased tensions in the region.

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

China, a “rival” country

The German presidency meeting ahead of the Japanese takeover in January also comes against the backdrop of recent government changes in Italy and particularly the UK, prompting another American diplomat to say, on condition of anonymity, that it must be ensured that all are on the same wavelength.

The energy crisis in Europe at the onset of winter and the situation in Iran, which has been shaken by bloody demonstrations that have been violently suppressed, are also the focus of the talks, which will begin in the afternoon and continue on Friday.

Relations with Beijing will be discussed at a working lunch as part of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s controversial visit to China on Friday. Mr. Scholz promised on Wednesday not to “overlook” “controversies” with Beijing on this trip.

The G7 countries are ready to consider China as “competitors” and rivals,” said Ms. Baerbock in this regard.

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 on international issues, but also a competitor and much more a rival. . And against this background, China will be on the agenda of today’s G7 meeting,” she warned.

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