G7 countries call on China to put pressure on Russia

The G7 countries called on China to pressure Russia to stop its aggression against Ukraine. The G7 members made the joint call public in a joint statement on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

“The statement, released by the foreign ministry of G7 chair Japan, said the members hoped China would push for the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine,” Reuters says.

The statement was made against the background of the four-day visit of China’s top diplomat Wang Yi to Russia. The meeting is aimed at deepening “political trust” between Moscow and Beijing before the country’s president, Xi Jinping, visits the Russian Federation in October, journalists say.

The G7 countries welcomed China’s participation in the peace summit in Jeddah and also “further called on China to maintain a just and durable peace, including through direct dialogue with Ukraine.”

The G7 joint statement did not name any specific country, but said the G7 members are again calling on third parties to end any aid to Russia in a war of aggression or face serious costs.