Defense chiefs from the Group of Seven nations have expressed their commitment to coordinating a security and defense presence in the Indo-Pacific region. This comes amid China’s growing military activity.
The officials gathered in the Italian city of Naples for the first defense ministerial meeting under the G7 framework.
During talks on the Indo-Pacific, Japan’s Defense Minister Nakatani Gen said Chinese and Russian military aircraft had recently intruded into his country’s airspace.
Nakatani also explained that Russia was increasing its collaboration with China and North Korea.
A joint declaration adopted by the G7 ministers on Saturday said they are “concerned” about recent military drills carried out by China around Taiwan.
It said they reiterate their “strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.”
Ukraine’s defense minister Rustem Umerov attended the meeting to outline his country’s “Victory Plan” to end Russia’s invasion.
The joint declaration said the ministers believe the G7 can play a key role in “achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace…with respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”
The document said the ministers stressed their “intent to continue to provide assistance to Ukraine, including military assistance in the short and long term.”
It also said the ministers “support Ukraine on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership.”