Defense ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries met in Naples to discuss global security challenges, including the Russian advance in Ukraine, China’s activities around Taiwan, and tensions on the Korean Peninsula. During the meeting, the G7 supported Ukraine’s “irreversible” path to NATO membership and expressed concern over threats to United Nations peacekeepers targeted by Israel in Lebanon.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who hosted the meeting, emphasized the need for international cooperation to address global tensions. He called on the G7 to lead by example and stimulate action across the international community. The meeting also included representatives from NATO, the European Union, and Ukraine.
The G7’s final statement backed Kyiv’s NATO membership aspirations and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The ministers also expressed concern at China’s support for Russia and Beijing’s military drills around Taiwan. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the global impact of the conflict in Ukraine, noting North Korea’s involvement in supporting Russia.
The meeting was held against the backdrop of escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with a drone targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s holiday home. The G7 joint declaration also called for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and emphasized the need to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
Overall, the G7 defense ministers’ meeting in Naples underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing global security challenges and supporting countries like Ukraine in their pursuit of Euro-Atlantic integration.
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