G7 ministers meet in Italy amid global crises, US transition

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations are meeting in the historic town of Fiuggi, Italy, for the final summit of the Biden administration, with pressing international conflicts and a looming U.S. political transition adding urgency to the agenda.

Discussions center on the escalating wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside the implications of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli leaders.

High on the agenda is brokering a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, with G7 members joined by officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, and the Arab League. “With partners will be discussed ways to support efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, initiatives to support the population, and the promotion of a credible political horizon for stability in the region,” stated the Italian foreign ministry.

This summit also comes amid heightened tensions over the ICC’s recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, a move Italy has cautiously addressed. While affirming its respect for the court, Italy’s government has voiced concerns about potential political motivations behind the warrants. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni reinforced the stance, stating, “There can be no equivalence between the responsibilities of the state of Israel and the terrorist organization of Hamas,” echoing U.S. President Joe Biden’s sentiment.

In parallel, the G7 faces escalating challenges in Ukraine following Russia’s use of a hypersonic missile last week. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is expected to attend discussions on Tuesday, as NATO and Ukraine convene emergency talks in Brussels. Concerns linger about potential shifts in U.S. policy under President-elect Donald Trump, who has criticized current U.S. military aid to Ukraine and suggested he would seek a rapid resolution that could favor Russian territorial claims.

Adding to the backdrop, the ministers will commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by unveiling a symbolic red bench. This comes after widespread protests in Rome against gender-based violence, which has claimed the lives of 99 women in Italy this year alone, according to the Eures think tank.

The Fiuggi summit, concluding the Italian presidency of the G7, reflects the weight of global instability and the urgency of unified international responses as geopolitical landscapes continue to shift.