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March 13, 2025 | 09:25 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - G7 foreign ministers convened at a small Canadian resort on Wednesday, initiating discussions on critical global issues ranging from the ongoing war in Ukraine to strategic challenges posed by China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Diplomats representing Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, along with the European Union, are set to formally commence their talks in La Malbaie, Quebec, on Thursday. This meeting occurred just two days after the United States and Ukraine reached an agreement to resume military aid and intelligence sharing, signaling a renewed effort to strengthen their relationship.
On the eve of the G7 discussions, nearly all participating nations gathered for a welcoming reception in the town, engaging in what officials described as "full-fledged" preliminary discussions—the first such gathering since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office on January 20.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived from Saudi Arabia, where senior Ukrainian officials had expressed their readiness to accept the Trump administration's proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire in the conflict with Russia, which began in February 2022.
The agreement between the United States and Ukraine, achieved after extensive talks on Tuesday, was met with approval from other G7 nations. It injects fresh momentum into a nascent peace process that had recently stalled following a public disagreement between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
The proposed ceasefire now requires approval from Russia, with President Trump and U.S. administration officials emphasizing that the Kremlin must demonstrate its willingness to pursue a peaceful resolution.
Before arriving in Canada, Secretary Rubio told reporters that Russia is probably processing the news like the rest of the world, so the U.S. hopes to get a positive response from them, and it is up to Russia to decide.
On Thursday, the ministers would conduct sessions focusing on the future of Ukraine and Europe, China and the Indo-Pacific, maritime security, and the G7’s role in the Middle East, according to G7 officials.
Prior to departing from Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya stated his commitment to "ensure the unity and cooperation of the G7."
Minister Iwaya underscored the group’s shared commitment to universal values, such as democracy, and the common goal of fostering a free and open international order. He stressed the importance of maintaining cohesion during a period of significant global change, particularly as Japan, the sole Asian participant, seeks to provide an Indo-Pacific perspective.
On Friday, March 14, before concluding their meeting, the ministers will exchange views on the challenges presented by countries such as China, Iran, and North Korea, as well as collaborative efforts to promote peace in Africa, officials reported.
They plan to issue a joint statement highlighting their support for ongoing U.S.-led initiatives to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and reaffirm their commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region. They will also express their opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the region and elsewhere, officials confirmed.
Secretary Rubio reiterated the U.S. desire to facilitate the peace process in Ukraine, awaiting Russia’s response. He "urged them strongly to consider ending all hostilities so people will stop dying, so bullets will stop flying, and so a process can begin to find a permanent peace."
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