Trudeau meets with world leaders as G7 begins
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the seasoned veteran of the G7, longer serving than any other leader in the group. But it's the summit's host, Italy's populist Prime Minister Georgia Maloney, who is quickly becoming the G7's most influential force as the European political landscape tilts sharply to the right. The G7 is often dismissed as a talk club, but with Maloney chairing it today reached agreement on a solid commitment to help Ukraine in its war with Russia. The group endorsed the Biden administration's plan to take the interest earned on about 325 billion U.S. dollars of frozen Russian financial assets. And use it to backstop a $50 billion loan towards the cost of defending and eventually rebuilding Ukraine. Canada is on board with the proposal and we'll put up $5 billion to guarantee the loan. It does mean that it's not just the Europeans taking out the loan or the United States taking out the loan. It's every G7 member, including Canada, right? Contributing the loan proposal. Welcomed by Ukraine's president, who is at the summit as a special guest. Trudeau highlighted Canada's commitment as he met with Vladimir Zelensky. We know how important it is to make sure you have the tools to continue to defend not just your country, but all of our democracies and the principles of the rules based order. You've been the first country who begin to move it. Thank you for your loud voice. Canada announcing more sanctions on individuals and entities that aid Russia and the first delivery to Ukraine of armored vehicles made in London, ON. Trudeau also met with the German Chancellor and the French President on the knee to spur development in Africa. Russia needs to pay for this. They are causing the damage and they need to pay well. There was consensus on Ukraine. There is reportedly conflict among G7 leaders, but making a commitment to advance the right to safe and legal abortions, a position backed by Canada and France. Maloney is socially conservative and doesn't want that language included in the final written declaration from the summit that she's hosting. Glenn McGregor. City News, Bari, Italy.