G7 leaders look for consensus on Russia’s ‘malign behavior’ toward Ukraine

Leaders in the Group of Seven are looking for a consensus regarding Russia’s “malign behavior” towards Ukraine.

The leaders of the U.K., U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Italy are meeting at the Museum of Liverpool for two days of talks, with Russia-Ukraine tensions one of the key issues on the table, The Associated Press reported.

The meeting is hosted by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who wants “a show of unity against global aggressors” and a coordinated response against the “malign behaviors” of Russia towards Ukraine. 

“We need to defend ourselves against the growing threats from hostile actors,” Truss said in her opening remarks. “And we need to come together strongly to stand up to aggressors who are seeking to limit the bounds of freedom and democracy.”

The concerns come as Russia is reportedly amassing tens of thousands of troops at the border, triggering fears that the Kremlin will invade Ukraine. 

The British government said Truss met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and both “expressed deep concern about a buildup of Russian troops on Ukraine’s border,” according to the AP.

President Biden said in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday that the U.S. would support Ukraine if Russia invaded.

“President Biden made very clear continued U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” a senior U.S. official said. 

The U.K. is also looking to encourage countries to move away from Russian gas supplies, the AP noted. 

“There have been decisions made by the free world … in the short term to obtain cheap energy or cheap financing, and that has a long-term cost for freedom and democracy,” she said. “And we can’t make that mistake again.”