G7 Top Diplomats: "Russia is not a reliable energy supplier"

The Group of Seven (G7) Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the European Union on Wednesday expressed concern over Russian attempts to weaponize its energy exports and use energy as a tool of geopolitical coercion, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"Russia is therefore not a reliable energy supplier," reads a statement published by the State Department on behalf of the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, U.S. and the high representative of the EU.

"We will act in solidarity and close coordination to mitigate the impact of supply disruptions on economies and citizens globally and in our countries, especially in order to protect vulnerable groups," the top diplomats noted.

The G7 condemns "and will not recognise" Russia’s continued attempts to re-draw borders by force: "This constitutes a blatant violation of international law, in particular a serious breach of the United Nations Charter, and seriously undermines the international rules-based system," reads the statement.

The authors also reiterate their demand that Russia put an end to this war of choice, immediately and unconditionally cease all hostilities, and withdraw its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

"We are working to ensure Russia does not exploit its position as an energy producer to profit from its aggression at the expense of vulnerable countries," foreign ministers noted.

"We will build on our recent actions to secure energy supplies, stabilise markets and mitigate the increases in energy prices driven by Russia’s actions and extraordinary market conditions. This includes our efforts to reduce our demand for Russian energy and our support for International Energy Agency voluntary collective actions."

G7 "remains committed" to energy and resource diversification and promotes competitive, reliable, affordable energy markets that are transparent and adhere to high environmental, social, and governance standards.

"We reiterate our support for an ambitious and expedited global clean energy transition towards net zero by 2050, consistent with a 1.5°C warming limit and implementation of the Glasgow Climate Pact. This is essential to achieving our shared climate, security, and economic recovery objectives. The more quickly we achieve this transition, the more secure our societies will be," reads the statement.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.