Foreign ministers from G7 nations convened outside Rome on Monday, focusing on the escalating wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Central to the discussions are efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, where violence has sharply intensified in recent months. The meeting, which includes representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, aims to promote stability in the region before the incoming US administration takes office in January.
The G7 will be joined by foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Qatar, alongside the Arab League Secretary General, to discuss strategies for securing peace and providing humanitarian aid to the affected populations.
A critical topic at the meeting is the development of a “day after” plan for Gaza, spearheaded by the US, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and the UAE. With tensions high and pressure to act swiftly before the Trump administration assumes power, there is a sense of urgency to advance peace talks. However, Israel’s stance on the issue has been a significant hurdle, especially after the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
Another contentious issue on the G7’s agenda is the recent ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Italy, while reaffirming its support for Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks, is also navigating its position on the warrants, which it deems politically motivated. The situation has prompted debates within the G7, particularly between Italy’s commitment to international law and the US’s vehement opposition to the warrants.
Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Institute for International Affairs, noted that Italy’s role in the G7’s handling of the ICC warrants will be crucial. The decision could impact Italy’s standing in global diplomacy, particularly regarding the protection of its peacekeepers in Lebanon.
The meeting also turned its focus on the war in Ukraine, where Russia’s recent hypersonic missile strike has escalated the conflict. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha will attend the G7 discussions to advocate for continued military and economic support. G7 members are particularly concerned about how a potential Trump administration could shift US policy on Ukraine. Trump has expressed criticism of the Biden administration’s financial aid to Ukraine, raising the possibility of a more isolationist US approach.
Italy, a strong supporter of Ukraine, has backed US decisions to send longer-range missiles to Ukraine, though it has limited its support by declining to provide offensive weaponry for strikes on Russian soil. Italy’s position has been influenced by its constitutional opposition to war, focusing on defensive measures such as anti-air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians.
On a separate note, the G7 foreign ministers also participated in the inauguration of a red bench in Italy to raise awareness about gender-based violence, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Tens of thousands marched in Rome over the weekend to protest the rising number of gender-based violence victims in Italy, with 99 women having been killed in the country this year alone.
