NUNZIUM

The G7 has agreed on sanctions against Russia during a summit in Japan, cutting off 70 companies from exports and imposing 300 sanctions against individuals, entities, vessels, and aircraft. Last year, the G7 imposed a $60 per-barrel price cap on Russian oil and diesel. The UK has banned Russian diamonds and imports of metals, targeting 86 individuals and companies. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy attended the G7 summit in Hiroshima, where US President Biden agreed to train Ukrainian pilots on American F-16 fighter jets, with training taking place in Europe in the coming weeks.

The G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, took place amid new nuclear threats from Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the summit, where G7 leaders called for "a world without nuclear weapons." The leaders visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, participated in a tree-planting ceremony at the "flame of peace," and laid wreaths. Biden is the second sitting American president to visit the memorial site, and while no U.S. president has apologized for the bombing, Biden made no public remarks during his visit.

The battle for the city of Bakhmut has continued for eight months, making it the longest and bloodiest battle in the war. Analysts believe that Bakhmut's fall would give Russia tactical advantages but not decide the war's outcome. The G7 Hiroshima summit concluded on May 21, with a communiqué released a day before closing, targeting China and reaffirming support for Ukraine. The G7 leaders agreed on an initiative to counter economic coercion from actors like China and Russia and established a new body to deal with "economic coercion."

In a concerning development, Russian and Belarusian defense ministers signed a document on deploying Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, leading to a Western backlash and threats of new sanctions on Belarus if it hosts Russian nuclear weapons. Belarus claims to be compelled by "unprecedented" Western pressure and insists that the deployment does not violate international agreements.

On May 24 an armed group attacked the Russian Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, resulting in one civilian killed, nine injured, and 550 residents temporarily evacuated. Shelling and mortar fire have increased since Kyiv re-took parts of the Kharkiv region from Russian forces. In response, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu promised a harsh response to similar attacks. Responsibility was claimed by anti-Kremlin groups Freedom of Russia Legion and Russian Volunteer Corps, mostly made of Russian citizens; Kyiv denies involvement.

As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community must work together to find a resolution that upholds peace, security, and the sovereignty of nations. With the G7 taking action against Russia and supporting Ukraine, the world watches and hopes for a peaceful outcome.