Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met virtually with G7 Leaders to discuss the G7’s unwavering support for Ukraine and ongoing efforts to respond to the situation in the Middle East.  Leaders also discussed the importance of continued and concrete progress to address a range of global challenges, including sustainable development, climate change, and AI.
 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the beginning of the virtual meeting, and President Biden and other G7 Leaders reiterated their commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. They also outlined additional steps that they are taking together to support Ukrainians in their fight for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
 
Leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East and expressed deep regret that Hamas refused to release all of its women hostages and military operations resumed.  President Biden thanked Leaders for their enduring support of Israel, work to stem the spread of regional conflict, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and collective efforts to advance a durable, lasting peace culminating in a Palestinian state part of a two-state solution.  
 
The Leaders also discussed threats to freedom of navigation in the Middle East region, condemning Houthi attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, and noted that we have reason to believe Iran enabled these attacks.
 
Building on the unprecedented unity that G7 Leaders displayed in May at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Leaders once again demonstrated their commitment to close cooperation as they each respond in real time to events around the world.
 
President Biden thanked Prime Minister Kishida for his leadership of the G7 over the past year, and welcomed Italy’s G7 Presidency next year under Prime Minister Meloni.

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