G7 draft: hinder trade in Russian oil and metals
The G7 “will take measures, including sanctions” and other innovative measures, “to combat Russia’s use of deceptive alternative shipping practices to circumvent our sanctions via its shadow fleets” for the oil trade. This is what emerges from the draft of the final G7 communiqué as reported by Bloomberg. The Big Ones also pledge to do more to hinder “the development of future energy projects and disrupt access to the goods and services on which such projects are based,” and will continue to reduce Russia’s metals revenues.
G7 draft: sanctions on Chinese banks and companies that help Moscow
“The G7 will extend the reach of sanctions to target businesses and banks, including in China, that are helping Russia circumvent sanctions on goods and technologies used in weapons production.” This can be read in the final draft of the G7, as reported by Bloomberg.
The Pope at the G7, bilateral meetings have begun
Pope Francis’ bilateral meetings at the G7 began shortly after 12.30pm and are ongoing. This is what the Vatican press office reports. In all, the Pope will have ten meetings during the afternoon.
Themes of the Meloni-Biden bilateral: Ukraine and China’s support for Russia
Joe Biden and Giorgia Meloni spoke about Ukraine and China’s support for Russia in the bilateral meeting they had on the sidelines of the G7 in Borgo Egnazia. The issues were anticipated in a telephone briefing that a US administration source had with journalists from the White House pool. “Meloni has always been very strong in supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the source said, recalling “yesterday’s important announcement” on the agreement on the use of Russian assets. During the meeting, the president and the prime minister also discussed China and the “worrying Chinese support provided to Russia in terms of dual use material and goods to support the Russian industrial base”.
Pope Francis landed in Borgo Egnazia
Pope Francis landed by helicopter in Borgo Egnazia, home of the Italian G7 presidency, the first to host a pontiff. Bergoglio was welcomed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He will participate in a session dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa and the Mediterranean, which will be open to the countries and international outreach organizations invited to the summit in Puglia.
Meloni-Biden: 40 minute bilateral
The bilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Borgo Egnazia ended after around 40 minutes.
Putin: freezing our capital is theft
The freezing of Russian capital in the West is “a theft” that will not go unpunished.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said this while speaking at the Foreign Ministry. This was reported by the Interfax agency.
Bilateral Meloni-Biden ongoing on the sidelines of the G7
The bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Joe Biden is underway, on the sidelines of the G7 work in Puglia.
Russia: agreement between US and Ukraine on security is just a piece of paper
The security agreement between the United States and Ukraine signed yesterday during the G7 by American President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is “just a piece of paper” and “has no legal value”. This was stated by the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, as reported by the Ria Novosti news agency. “These so-called agreements are nothing more than ordinary pieces of paper,” Zakharova said while meeting journalists and stating that “these agreements are worth nothing, they have no legal value.” It only serves the Ukrainians, she added, “to present themselves at the so-called conference in Switzerland with some developments.”
Pope left for Borgo Egnazia
The Pope, at the end of the meeting with around a hundred comedians from all over the world, left by helicopter shortly after 10.30 am for Borgo Egnazia in Puglia to take part in the G7. Bergoglio will speak in the session dedicated to artificial intelligence and will have bilateral talks with ten personalities and Heads of State.
Starting with panel on migrations. Second day of work in Borgo Egnazia
The second day of G7 work in Borgo Egnazia began with the session dedicated to migration. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni kicked off the proceedings, sitting at the table between Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron. This will be followed by a panel on the Indo-Pacific and economic security and the session, in which Pope Bergoglio will take part, on ‘Artificial intelligence, energy, Africa/Mediterranean’. In the evening the adoption of the conclusions of the summit and the closing with the concert by Andrea Bocelli.
