Russia, Iran, Brexit and Amazonia. Summary of the G7 Summit

The leaders of the USA, France, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada and the European Union joined the G7 Summit. Politicians talked about challenges in the field of economy, foreign policy and environmental protection. Combating economic and social inequalities as well as partnership with Africa were chosen as the theme of this year’s summit.

The diplomatic weekend began with a gala dinner and bilateral meetings. Already then, a discussion about Russia’s presence at the summit next year in the United States was initiated.

The idea of ​​”restoring” Russia to meet the world’s greatest powers was raised by US President Donald Trump. He wants to conduct diplomacy with all military, economic and political leaders and knows perfectly well why Russia has been withdrawn from the summit, but believes that the presence of all global power is crucial for the level and comprehensiveness of diplomacy.

Most leaders, however, are against restoring the G8 format and inviting Vladimir Putin to next year’s summit. President of the European Council, Donald Tusk said that the reasons for which Russia was removed from the group of the most economically developed countries in the world are still valid.

– For Russia, membership of the G7 group or returning to the G8 is not an end in itself – said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. What is more, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Russia did not ask anyone to start a discussion on the restoration of the G8 formula, giving a clear signal that the Kremlin is not interested in developing diplomacy with the group.

Russia participated in G8 meetings between 1997 and 2014. The country was suspended as a member of the group on March 24, 2014, after the Kremlin annexed Crimea.

The G7 group’s approach to diplomatic talks with Iran is completely different. The summit countries reached an agreement and took the initiative of joint action to stop Iran from initiating further conflicts and to start negotiations with Tehran.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zafir came to the summit on Sunday. The politician was a surprise in Biarritz – the town of the leadership meeting – where he met and held “positive” talks with French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Donald Trump reassured other leaders about normalising contacts with China. The President of the United States stated that he did not intend to take further steps against Beijing’s economic one. This was an important declaration because recently Donald Trump has expressed his intention to increase customs duties on imports from China in response to retaliatory duties imposed by China (worth USD 75 billion) on US goods. – We’re getting along well with China at the moment – Trump said.

The President of the United States also met the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The US is able to conclude a trade agreement with Great Britain shortly after Brexit. Donald Trump revealed that the planned agreement will be a comprehensive, very broad agreement.

Boris Johnson has been called “the right man in the right place” by Trump. The UK Prime Minister announced that if he left the EU without any agreement, his country would not feel obliged to pay the 39 billion pounds calculated by the EU budget. – London will do without contract – Johnson assured.

The issue of Amazon forest fires has not escaped the attention of the heads of the world economic powers. Natural disaster have a significant impact on the EU-Mercosur agreement, whose basic postulate is environmental protection and climate policy. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro saw the brooding of tropical forest fires as interference in Brazil’s internal affairs and rejected any help from the G7 countries. France and Ireland have expressed their readiness to veto the planned free trade agreement on the EU-Mercosur route if Brazil does not better protect the Amazon. – Our house is burning. The world’s order was particularly affected. No country can determine the conditions for economic development alone – said the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

As part of the summit, its included meetings like: Donald Trump with Emmanuel Macron, Emmanuel Macron with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Justin Trudeau also met with a Japanese representative to talk about tensions with South Korea and with Boris Johnson to talk about free trade.