BARI, Italy - The Group of Seven (G7) leaders kicked off their annual summit on Thursday with a strong focus on supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and presenting a united front against China's growing political and economic influence.

In addition to addressing issues such as the Middle East, migration, and artificial intelligence (AI), the June 13-15 summit in southern Italy is proving challenging for leaders, many of whom are dealing with significant domestic issues.

US President Joe Biden, facing a tough re-election battle in November, arrived in Italy just after his son Hunter Biden was convicted of lying about his drug use to illegally buy a gun.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to lose power in a July 4 election, while the leaders of France and Germany are reeling from political defeats. Opinion polls are also bleak for the prime ministers of Canada and Japan.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the host of the summit, is riding high after her success in Italy's recent European election. However, achieving substantial results at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia hotel resort will be challenging.

In an effort to take the initiative, the G7 leaders are likely to announce plans to provide $50 billion in loans for Ukraine, using interest from frozen Russian assets to support the multi-year debt package. Officials acknowledge the complexity of the plan, noting that legal experts will need to iron out the details, with the backing of European nations, including Belgium, which is not a G7 member.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the summit for the second year in a row and is expected to sign a new, long-term security agreement with President Biden.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating, "By signing this, we’ll also be sending Russia a signal of our resolve. If Vladimir Putin thinks he can outlast the coalition supporting Ukraine, he’s wrong."

Confronting China

Highlighting US determination to penalize Moscow for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Washington on Wednesday expanded sanctions on Moscow, including targeting China-based companies selling semiconductors to Russia.

By imposing new restrictions on Chinese firms just ahead of the G7 meeting, President Biden aims to persuade Western allies to demonstrate greater resolve in challenging Beijing's support for Russia and its industrial overcapacity.

The European Commission informed automakers on Wednesday that it would impose additional tariffs of up to 38.1 percent on imported Chinese electric cars from July. This move comes shortly after Washington quadrupled tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to 100 percent.

While G7 leaders are expected to express concerns over China's high production levels, which they argue disrupt global supply chains and market stability, EU diplomats caution that Europe is eager to avoid a full-scale trade conflict with Beijing.

Inclusion and Bilateral Meetings

In a bid to avoid appearing exclusive, the G7 has invited a large number of outside figures this year, including Pope Francis, who is set to deliver a keynote speech on Friday focusing on both the risks and potential benefits of AI.

Among the other invited leaders are some of the largest regional powers worldwide, such as India, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, Algeria, and Kenya.

Although the summit is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, many G7 leaders, including President Biden, will depart on Friday evening. As a result, the final day is reserved for bilateral meetings for those remaining and a closing news conference by Prime Minister Meloni.

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