- The Foreign Secretary will meet G7
partners in Münster, Germany this week.
- He will use the talks to call out
the impact of Russia’s war on civilians in Ukraine and around the
world, and the need to sustain Ukraine’s self-defence.
- This follows Russia’s weaponisation
of food, water and energy, and its missile and drone strikes
against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
As Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine causes widespread
devastation, its global impact continues to generate lasting
damage to the world’s most vulnerable – driving up food and
energy prices and putting supplies at risk. To discuss the
international response, the Foreign Secretary is in Germany today (3
November) for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Münster.
The Foreign Secretary will say that the G7 must work with
partners across the world in the face of Russian aggression and
the resulting economic insecurity, building resilience against
Putin’s weaponisation of energy, food and water.
will say that Putin’s
exploitation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative shows his
willingness to hold the world’s vulnerable hostage.
On Saturday, Russia said it was suspending its participation in
the initiative, which allows food vital to developing countries
to be exported safely from Ukraine. On Wednesday, it resumed
participation. From the first ship leaving Odesa on 1 August,
nearly 10 million tonnes of grain have been exported under the
initiative.
This deliberate uncertainty caused by Russia raises fears around
the security of food supply. The UK and its allies continue to
urge Russia to agree an extension to the UN-brokered deal beyond
its 19 November deadline.
Foreign Secretary said:
“While we are steadfast in our support for Ukraine, we must
not forget that the impacts of Russia’s aggression, interference
and hostility extend across the world.
“Putin’s actions are plunging the world’s poorest further
into despair, putting global food security on the brink and
pushing up energy prices.
“These actions only serve to demonstrate Putin’s true
intentions and further unite the international community against
his callous plans.”
Germany has also invited Ghana, Kenya and the African Union to
join the meeting for discussions on collaboration with the G7 on
climate change, infrastructure, defending democracy and
addressing conflict and humanitarian crises.
Also on the agenda for the G7 will be the growing protests in
Iran, stability in the Indo-Pacific, and the role of China in the
wider world.
The Foreign Ministers will discuss the situation in Taiwan,
particularly following the 20th National Congress of
the Chinese Communist Party last month, and how the G7 can
strengthen partnerships with countries in the region to build
prosperity and protect shared values.
Before arriving in Münster, the Foreign Secretary will represent
the UK at the Berlin Process Summit on the Western Balkans, where
he will call for a joint response to Russia’s destabilising
actions in the region, including taking steps to reduce the
region’s reliance on Russian energy.
