In the various work sessions between Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 June at Schloss Elmau, in the Bavarian mountains, the other six leader of the G7, in addition to the president of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the EU Council Charles Michel, listened carefully to Prime Minister Mario Draghi who rattled off all the risks that the world economy is running due to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine. A reflection that does not only concern the European Union and fears about the rekindling of inflation dragged up by the increase in the price of hydrocarbons. Reflection that found a fundamental support in the French president Emmanuel Macron but above all in the American president Joe Biden who for days had been insisting on a ceiling on the price of crude oil.
Germany also changes its mind on the price cap
In the end, even the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz (who only a few days earlier in Brussels at the EU summit in Brussels had appeared very cautious on the introduction of a ceiling on the price of gas) appeared much more collaborative, espousing Draghi's reflections on the meaning geopolitics of the measure. Of course, now the technical ministers of energy will take care of it and, as reported by the French president Emmanuel Macron, it will not be a simple decision but the final communiqué of the G7 has put a point on the issue by giving a strong acceleration to European decisions.
The G7 reads the final communiqué “welcomes the decision of the European Union to explore with international partners ways to contain rising energy pricesincluding the feasibility of introducing temporary price caps where appropriate. And then again: "While we gradually reduce the flow of Russian oil to our markets - the leaders continue - we will try to develop solutions that allow us to achieve our goal of reducing Russia's revenues from hydrocarbons, supporting stability in the global markets of the energy while minimizing negative economic impacts, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Kremlin: Gazprom will decide on gas prices
According to Draghi, however, “it is difficult to understand what Russia will do with the gas: we are going ahead trying to prepare ourselves. The way is to diversify sources, increase stock levels, increase investments in renewables, also making long-term investments in developing countries”.
The Kremlin also intervenes on the introduction of a ceiling on the price of gas according to which it is up to Gazprom decide, and probably “they will want to review existing contracts”. So said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Unlock grain shipments
But the G7 is also concerned about food security in the poorest countries aggravated by the blockage of ships full of germ e fertilizers blocked in Ukrainian ports. “We reiterate – reads the G7 communiqué – our urgent appeal to Russia to put an unconditional end to the blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports” and stop “destroying port transport infrastructure, terminals and grain silos” and “illegally appropriating Ukrainian agricultural products and equipment”. "We strongly support Ukraine in resuming its agricultural exports on world markets - it continues -, as well as the efforts of the United Nations to unblock a safe maritime corridor through the Black Sea". According to Draghi "The situation" of the grain "must be unblocked quickly, the new crop must be stored". But, added the prime minister, "The UN secretary general said that we are now close to the moment of truth to understand whether Russia will want to sign an agreement that will allow grain to leave its ports".
But the G7 in wartime has above all agreed on economic and military aid to Kiev "as long as it is needed". A sort of "whatever it takes" in favor of Ukraine.
Scholz: We will make life difficult for Putin
The last drama Russian missile attack on Kremenchuk, a city of 200 thousand inhabitants in the central-eastern region of Poltava, in the same hours in which the big seven met in the Bavarian Alps represents yet another Russian provocation. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, current president of the G7, was clear at the press conference in Elmau: “We will continue to increase the political and economic costs for President Putin: this is why it is important to stay together. Even if it's a long journey, we have to hold on. We will supply arms and many other countries are doing it”. Also for Draghi “there will be no peace if Ukraine is not able to defend itself. Without defenses there is imposition, submission and oppression, there is no peace. G7 support so far has been sufficient, the essential condition for defence. This comes as a surprise, nobody thought that Ukraine could defend itself effectively and courageously, as it is doing. The last few weeks have seen a steady advance of Russia's military forces. We all look at what is happening on the ground, support for Ukraine will go forward and continue in a unified and adequate manner”.
From the G7 to the G20: the West more united against Putin
Closed on G7 Dragons he moved to Madrid to participate in the NATO summit which will always have the Ukrainian crisis as its central theme. “From the NATO summit – he says – we expect the reaffirmation of unity and firmness already expressed by the G7 and then, probably, an expansion of NATO to include Sweden and Finland. The effects of this war are unpredictable, now we find ourselves a more united European Union, a more united and larger NATO. All Russia's neighboring countries seek protection and rearmament. Things are not going the way President Putin would have liked."
Putin at the G20? Draghi says no. Kremlin replies
We are now wondering about the future of a diplomatic solution as suggested by former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger according to whom a European Russia is better than an Asian ally of China. So, on the possibility that Putin can participate in the next summit of G20 in Bali. Draghi said the Indonesian presidency would have ruled out a participation in the presence of the Russian president.
The Kremlin spokesman's reply is ready: "Russian President Vladimir Putin has received the invitation to the G20 summit and will participate in it, it is not the Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi who decides on Putin's participation in the summit".
