The Ukraine war, the difficult situation in the global economy or the climate crisis: the G7 summit at Schloss Elmau in Bavaria is packed with serious issues. Before the first working session, however, the group is joking: the British prime minister absolutely wants to undress.
The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and its consequences are the dominant topics of the G7 summit. But serious as the situation is, just before their first working session, the G7 leaders poked fun at Russian President Vladimir Putin. The trigger was a question from Boris Johnson, who was the last to join the group at Schloss Elmau at noon: "Jacket on? Jacket off?" asked the British Prime Minister in view of the high temperatures, when photographers and camera teams were still in the room.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested leaving the jackets on until the round's official photo. But Johnson insisted: "We have to show that we are stronger than Putin." The Canadian Prime Minister took the floor again and recalled a famous photo of the Russian President from 2009: Horse riding with a bare chest, you have to do that, joked Trudeau. Apparently without wanting to go into the question of clothing, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a passionate horsewoman, replied: "Horseback riding is the best."
But Johnson did not give up. "We have to show them our abs," joked the slightly overweight British prime minister, but then admitted defeat: the group left their jackets on until photographers and camera teams had to leave the room. After the working session, Chancellor Olaf Scholz appeared in front of the cameras without a tie, but still in a jacket.
Nevertheless, the round had a muscular message for the Russian presidents. After an initial conversation with US President Joe Biden, Scholz tweeted: "We are united, we stand together. That is our clear message to President Putin. Nice that you are here at the G7 summit, US President Joe Biden."
