The meeting comes two days after Israel announced the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, who masterminded the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that started the war in Gaza. file | Photo Credit: @G7/X
Against a dangerous backdrop, on Saturday (October 19, 2024), defense ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries met for talks in Naples. rise in the middle east and mounting pressure on ukraine Because it faces another winter of battle.
Italy, which holds the rotating presidency of the G7, hosted the first ministerial meeting dedicated to defense in the southern city of Naples, home to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told reporters in Brussels that he had personally requested the summit given the many conflicts facing the international community.
“I found it surreal that the seven largest economies in the world have come together to talk about issues ranging from tourism to culture to energy… and they find themselves talking together about defense at a historic moment like ours.” Didn’t get it. ‘Having experience,’ said Mr. Crosetto.
In addition to the escalating Middle East conflict – which Mr Crosetto said would be given “considerable space” during the one-day summit – the agenda includes the war in Ukraine, development in Africa and security in the Asia-Pacific.
This meeting took place two days after Israel’s announcement Murder of Hamas chief Yahya SinwarThe mastermind of the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which started the war in Gaza.
israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu said death of sinwar Signaling “the beginning of the end” of the war against Hamas in the Palestinian territories.
Meanwhile, Italy’s Prime Minister… georgia melloni on Friday (October 18, 2024) in Lebanon, where Israel is also at war with Hamas ally Hezbollah.
Speaking in Beirut, Ms Meloni described attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon as “unacceptable”, as the UN force accused Israel of firing on their positions.
Italy has about 1,000 troops as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping force, which includes troops from more than 50 countries, including 16 EU countries.
Ukraine’s prospects
G7 defense ministers will also keep an eye on Ukraine, which is facing a third winter of war, facing battlefield defeats in the east and reduced US military support if Donald Trump is elected to the White House. is likely to.
chairman Volodymyr ZelenskyUnder increasing pressure from the Western allies to formulate a winning strategy against Russia, he “presented hisvictory planFor the EU and NATO on Thursday (October 17, 2024).
This includes NATO membership, the ability to attack military targets inside Russia with long-range weapons, and an undefined “non-nuclear strategic deterrent package” on Ukrainian territory.
The discussion will likely also include reports that North Korea is deploying large numbers of troops to support Moscow’s war against Ukraine, according to South Korean intelligence.
NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Friday (October 18, 2024) that the alliance had not yet confirmed that intelligence.
After morning and afternoon sessions, the Saturday (October 19, 2024) summit will conclude with a press conference scheduled for 4:00 pm (14:00 GMT).
published – October 19, 2024 09:48 AM IST