PM attends virtual G7 meeting

Prime minister Rishi Sunak has had a virtual meeting with other G7 leaders. Ukraine's president Zelenskyy also attended.

The leaders paid tribute to the G7's support of Ukraine, with Sunak saying it was clear that Putin is realising he can no longer win on the battlefield and is now resorting to cynical tactics, including attacks on critical national infrastructure.

The prime minister urged the other G7 leaders to combine their efforts and match their support for Ukraine in 2023.

In a statement, the G7 leaders said: "Today, we reaffirm our unwavering support for and solidarity with Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian war of aggression for as long as it takes. We condemn Russia’s continuous inhumane and brutal attacks targeting critical infrastructure, in particular energy and water facilities, and cities across Ukraine, and recall that indiscriminate attacks and attacks on the civilian population or civilian objects, constitute a war crime. We also condemn those who are facilitating Putin’s illegal war. We are determined to help Ukraine repair, restore and defend its critical energy and water infrastructure. We will help Ukraine in meeting its winter preparedness needs, will continue to support Ukraine’s civilian resilience, and will further enhance our efforts on this during the international conference to be held in Paris on 13 December."

On the topic of global warming, the leaders said: "Reaffirming our steadfast commitment to implement the Paris Agreement and the outcomes of COP26 and COP27, we commit to urgent, ambitious, and inclusive climate action in this decade to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre industrial levels. We reaffirm our commitment to reach net-zero emissions no later than 2050. To that end, and building on our statement adopted in June in Elmau, we endorse the Climate Club’s terms of reference as established by the Climate Club Task Force and hereby establish an open and inclusive international Climate Club."

Sunak also paid tribute to Chancellor Scholz's leadership and welcomed prime minister Kishida to the role of President in 2023.

The G7 leaders also said: "Under the German Presidency, we, the G7, together with other international partners, have demonstrated our resolve to jointly addressing both major systemic challenges and immediate crises of our time. Our commitments and actions pave the way for progress towards an equitable world. As we look to the 2023 G7 Summit in Hiroshima under the Japanese Presidency, and in our support to the Indian G20 Presidency, we stand strong, united and absolutely committed to rebuilding a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for all."

Image by Chris McAndrew - https://api20170418155059.azure-api.net/photo/IoyxMWET.jpeg?crop=MCU_3:2... https://beta.parliament.uk/media/IoyxMWET, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61331418