The second day of the G7 summit focuses on the war in Ukraine and its effects. President Selenskyj is also involved in this. Chancellor Scholz meanwhile promises help against the impending hunger crisis - grain exports from Ukraine should be possible for this.
Day two of the G7 summit at Schloss Elmau in Bavaria: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj joined the first working session of the heads of state and government. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine will be one of the dominant topics on the second day of the summit.
According to a diplomat, Zelenskyy asked the G7 heads of state and government for comprehensive help in the defensive war against Russia. The President asked the summit participants to deliver air defense systems. In addition, the seven leading Western industrialized countries should ensure further sanctions against Russia, help Ukraine to export grain and provide the country with financial aid for reconstruction.
In view of the looming hunger crisis, especially in East Africa, the G7 countries are already trying to facilitate grain exports from Ukraine. "Negotiations are currently going on day and night," Chancellor Olaf Scholz told ZDF. The topic is causing the leading democratic economic powers great concern and they want to help.
Money should also be used to ensure that hunger crises are avoided, said Scholz. Specific financial commitments are also expected from the G7 countries. Ukraine and Russia are the world's largest wheat exporters. They usually cover almost a third of global demand - but because Russia is currently blocking the Ukrainian ports, a lot of grain cannot be exported.
According to the World Food Program, 50 million people worldwide are on the brink of starvation. The UN organization assesses the situation in Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan and Somalia as catastrophic.
The summit day continues with the participation of the leaders of five host countries: India, Indonesia, South Africa, Senegal and Argentina. The larger group will discuss, among other things, the climate crisis and the topics of energy security and health. Later in the day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also be connected, for example to discuss the impending hunger crisis.
The summit of the seven important democratic industrialized countries began on Sunday afternoon and will last until Tuesday. In addition to Germany and the USA, the G7 also includes Canada, Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan. In addition, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel will take part in the summit.
