Biden to Attend G7 Summit with Ukraine Aid and China’s Support for Russia in Focus

President Joe Biden is set to fly to Italy on Wednesday for meetings with Group of Seven leaders to increase pressure on Russia regarding its war in Ukraine and China for its support of Moscow and excess industrial capacity.

Despite facing challenges at home, the G7 leaders are gearing up to address several global issues during the summit.

President Biden spent Tuesday evening at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, following the conviction of his son Hunter Biden for lying about his drug use to purchase a gun illegally in 2018, marking him as the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be convicted of a crime.

The G7 leaders will tackle various challenges during their meeting on June 13-15, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, trade imbalances with China, the threats posed by artificial intelligence, and development challenges in Africa.

They are expected to announce new sanctions and export controls against Russia to target entities aiding President Vladimir Putin’s forces in Ukraine. The U.S. government also plans to expand sanctions on semiconductor chips and other goods sold to Russia.

Funding for Ukraine will be a key focus at the G7 meeting, with efforts to secure solutions ahead of the upcoming presidential election in the U.S. and the uncertainty it may bring regarding future support for Kyiv.

Biden will also seek support from G7 leaders for an innovative plan to use future interest on Russian central bank funds to provide a loan to Ukraine.

G7 leaders are also dealing with domestic challenges, such as potential electoral changes in the UK, France, and Germany. Biden plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and hold a joint press conference as well.