G7 leaders discuss at roundtable in Hiroshima, Japan | Photo: REUTERS

The 2023 G7 Summit begins today in Hiroshima, Japan.

The summit’s agenda will focus on the world’s preeminent geopolitical, economic, and climate issues. Specific topics will include regulating AI, a possible US debt default, insecurity in the Indo-Pacific, belligerent aggression by North Korea, and the Russia-Ukraine War.

Looming large over the summit, Russia’s war has been in relative stalemate since last November, and both sides are preparing for an armored Ukrainian counter-offensive. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Italy, France, Germany, and the UK, where he managed to secure more military aid and commitments. In response, Russia launched 18 missiles at Kyiv on Monday, including 6 hypersonic missiles.

G7 leaders will reiterate support for Ukraine, and may discuss international sanctions on Russian commodities like liquified natural gas. When Ukraine’s counter-offensive begins, the G7 and international allies will increase their military and economic aid to pressure Russia to withdraw from the pyrrhic war. With world leaders gathered where the first nuclear bomb attack in history occurred, the G7 is under immense pressure to ensure humanity never faces the horrors of nuclear annihilation again. However, with the Russia-Ukraine war continuing to escalate, their challenge has never seemed so daunting.