The crisis in Ukraine and the Greek economy have been topping the agenda of the two-day G7 summit in southern Germany. The event has been overshadowed by mass demonstrations by anti-globalization protesters, who plan to hold more rallies.
08 June 2015
“Existing sanctions must remain in place until Minsk agreements are fully implemented. This will require action from both Ukraine and Russia,” UK Prime Minister David Cameron told the media. “That’s why it’s vital we ensure President Poroshenko has the support needed to deliver the necessary political and economic reforms,” he added.
"There are currently no reasons" to lift sanctions against Russia, French President Francois Hollande said, adding that the sanctions are "likely" to be extended until the end of 2015. The issue will be reviewed by the European Council later in June, Hollande said.
“Contacts with Russia must continue,” Hollande said. “If Russia was not invited to today’s summit, this does not mean that we do not need to have dialogue with it anymore.” He mentioned the “expanded format” of the G20, adding that “Russia plays a key role in negotiations on Syria, Iran and Ukraine.”
Angela Merkel also touched upon the issue of tackling climate change, calling on G7 nations to agree upon specific, binding emission goals ahead of a UN climate meeting at the end of the year.
Merkel wants leaders at #G7Summit to commit to tough goals on climate change: http://t.co/1P1sFziketpic.twitter.com/tejD8OIXY0
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) June 8, 2015
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she believed international conflicts can be solved in cooperation with Russia. "We have several negotiation formats in which Russia takes part,” she said at a media conference. “International crises can be solved with the Russian Federation.”
However, she said that sanctions against Russia would remain in place until the ceasefire between Kiev’s forces and anti-government fighters in Ukraine holds. "We are also willing, if it is necessary, but which is not what we want, to toughen the sanctions if the situation requires us to do so." She added that no specific measures to toughen the sanctions have been discussed at the summit.
At the same time, the communique says G7 nations “commend and support the steps the Ukrainian government is taking to implement comprehensive structural reforms and urge the Ukrainian leadership to decisively continue the necessary fundamental transformation in line with IMF and EU commitments.”
It goes on: “We reaffirm our commitment to working together with the international financial institutions and other partners to provide financial and technical support as Ukraine moves forward with its transformation. We ask the G7 ambassadors in Kiev to establish a Ukraine support group. Its task will be to advance Ukraine´s economic reform process through coordinated advice and assistance.”
Die Abschlusserklärung der #G7 jetzt online / #G7 Leaders’ Declaration now online: http://t.co/3JkgewVRXepic.twitter.com/9pdsJXUwNv
— G7 (@g7) June 8, 2015
US President Barack Obama says G7 has made it clear that it stands ready to implement additional significant sanctions against Russia. The summit’s communique reads: “we also stand ready to take further restrictive measures in order to increase cost on Russia should its actions so require.”
G7 nations again accused Russia of “trans-border support of separatist forces,” something Moscow has denied time and again before, citing lack of proof to back up the accusations. They also call on Russia to “use its considerable influence over the separatists to meet their Minsk commitments in full,” and condemn “the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula by the Russian Federation.”
Sanctions against Russia will remain in place until the Minsk agreement on the Ukrainian peace process is observed, the G7 summit communique says: “The duration of sanctions should be clearly linked to Russia’s complete implementation of the Minsk agreements and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty.”
Our photographer took a videocam to the 3rd #G7 session. See what it's like to take photos of G7 leaders. #G7Summithttps://t.co/W09HqRbsc6
— G7 (@g7) June 8, 2015
The real reason the G7 is considering toughening sanctions on Russia may have little to do with the current crisis in Ukraine, political commentator Caleb Maupin told RT.
“It’s a threat to the global hegemony of the big bankers on Wall Street and in London, and they very much want to keep control of the global markets,” Maupin said. “I don’t think the reason Russia was excluded [from the summit] has anything to do with Ukraine, I think it’s about continuing to put pressure on Russia, continuing to isolate Russia,” he added.
While this policy may serve the interests of US and UK elites, it isn’t to the benefit of most European countries: “Germany and many other countries throughout Europe are basically being forced to work against their own interests in order to help the United States,” Maupin said.
Some government officials in these countries have become fed up with the situation, according to Maupin.
“There are many high ranking government officials who are tired of this. They’re tired of the fact that they have this relationship with the United States that simply doesn’t seem to be to the benefit of their people.”
07 June 2015
US President Barack Obama pressed UK Prime Minister David Cameron at the G7 summit to keep military spending at two percent of GDP, A British source said Sunday. The UK is trying to reduce its deficit and Cameron has refused to rule out further cuts to the defense budget in the future.
During a meeting with the British PM David Cameron at the G7 summit, US President Barack Obama said Washington is “looking forward” to the UK staying part of the European Union.
While meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the G7 summit, British Prime minister David Cameron announced the UK will send 125 more troops to Iraq to tackle the Islamic State in the regions, bringing the total number of UK military personnel training Iraqi troops to more than 275.
Watch the latest report by RT’s Harry Fear from the anti-G7 protest outside the summit venue.
Prime Minister Cameron also says he wants to see the FIFA scandal discussed during the summit. He believes this is the perfect opportunity to tackle the broader "cancer" of corruption globally.
I'll be telling the #G7Summit tomorrow we must see the FIFA scandal as an opportunity to tackle corruption elsewhere around the world.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 6, 2015
"There is something of an international taboo over pointing the finger and stirring up concerns," Cameron said in a statement on Friday, as cited by Reuters.
"At international summits, leaders meet to talk about aid, economic growth and how to keep our people safe. But we just don't talk enough about corruption. This has got to change. We have to show some of the same courage that exposed FIFA and break the taboo."
British PM David Cameron says Europe must stay united on sanctions against Russia over Ukraine conflict despite pain, Reuters reports.
"We need to make sure Europe remains united," Cameron told reporters at the G7.
"It (sanctions) has an impact on all countries. (But) Britain hasn't let our pre-eminence in financial services get in the way of taking a robust response to Russian-backed aggression and I don't think other countries should either."
The President of the European Council Donald Tusk says the G7 group would like to see Russia back at the forum’s table.
“We would all prefer to see Russia at the table of the forum so that it can become the G8 group. But our group is a community of values and that is why Russia is not with us today and will not be invited as long as it acts aggressively against Ukraine or other countries," Tusk said in a press conference.
Tusk & Junker addressing press at #G7pic.twitter.com/mRNZWKoWg8
— Peter Oliver (@PeterGOliver_RT) June 7, 2015
Meanwhile, it seems as though the protesters have reached the end of the line as they tried to make their way towards the Schloss Elmau hotel.
Atmosphere is relaxed at the #stopg7elmau protest group 2 - we are enjoying the sun @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/RadfLiZeKW
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 7, 2015
Ruptly producer Denise Reese, who is at the scene, says there is a relaxed atmosphere and there does not seem to be any hint of trouble at the moment. There are about 500 demonstrators present.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has arrived in Bavaria for the G7 summit. He plans to push EU officials to speed up negotiations to speed up a multi-billion dollar trade deal between the bloc and the US.
His intervention would come after the EU's chief negotiator said in April that talks to clinch the so-called Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) would stretch into 2016.
"We launched this at a G8 that was ours in Lough Erne in 2013," one British official told reporters, which was cited by Reuters. "That was over 700 days ago, and the prime minister feels we should be making swifter progress."
Barack Obama and Angela Merkel meeting some of the locals.
Barack Obama said before the start of the G7 summit that leaders would discuss what they perceive to be Russian “aggression” in Ukraine, as well as the threats posed by extremism and climate change.
"So over the next two days in Schloss Elmau we're going to discuss our shared future, the global economy that creates jobs and opportunity, maintaining a strong and prosperous European Union, forging new trade partnerships across the Atlantic, standing up to Russian aggression in Ukraine, combating threats from violent extremism to climate change," Obama said, as cited by Reuters.
Before getting down to business, the US president managed to enjoy a traditional Bavarian lunch with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Ruptly producer Denise Reese has been following the protesters on their march towards the Schloss Elmau hotel.
Red Cross mountain rescue supplies #stopg7elmau protester + press w/ free water + magnesia after hike @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/E4kVpl8cVe
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 7, 2015
Small #stopg7elmau protest along the hike to Schloss Elmau @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/rOAqcVsHBN
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 7, 2015
Demonstrators blocked a road leading to the Schloss Elmau hotel with a sit-down protest. This forced those attending the G7 summit to make the final stretch of their journey by helicopter, Reuters reports.
Bavarian police said on Twitter that 12 protesters had sat down in the road. After the police talked to them, seven of the demonstrators left voluntarily, while five were dragged away forcibly.
Meanwhile, protesters against the G7 summit said that police used a chemical substance on up to 400 people, a spokesperson for the Stop G7 movement told the Sputnik news agency. The spokesperson added that several people suffered injuries after the substance was emitted.
Protesters against #G7 claim police used chemical substance on up to 400 people http://t.co/ywUkyLxncqpic.twitter.com/q1SdxNNWyW
— RT (@RT_com) June 7, 2015
RT's Peter Oliver had an unusual journey to get to the grounds of the Schloss Elmau hotel, where he will be reporting from the G7 summit. He was flown to the venue in a military helicopter.
Well that was a pleasant ride courtesy of the Bundeswehr pic.twitter.com/12sw0y5zty
— Peter Oliver (@PeterGOliver_RT) June 7, 2015
Some of the protesters have already set off to try and see how near to the Schloss Elmau hotel they can get.
Hiking through the Alps to block #G7 with around 500 #stopg7elmau protester - curious how far we get @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/qFGvHpsKEh
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 7, 2015
Apparently, protesters are finding it hard to approach the Schloss Elmau hotel where the G7 summit is taking place, a spokesperson for the G7 Elmau movement told the Sputnik news agency.
"Because of military and police repression, because of the prohibitions of the demonstrations and also because of the weather conditions – all this does not allow [us] to approach Elmau," Simon Ernst said.
He added that even if protesters get closer to the hotel they will be still separated from the G7 leaders by the surrounding mountains.
RT's correspondent Harry Fear has posted a map of the planned routes that the protesters will be taking to demonstrate against the G7 summit.
Planned @stopg7elmau routes from #GarmischPartenkirchen for today's #G7Demo marches towards the #G7 Elmau Resort. pic.twitter.com/AQ9TCzjkXz
— Harry Fear (@harryfear) June 7, 2015
Protesters are marching towards Schloss Elmau, where the summit is due to take place in a few hours. The demonstration organizers earlier said the rally participants will be reaching the venue on bikes, motorbikes and on foot.
Protesters have started gathering for a march towards the venue of the summit in Elmau, Germany.
Ein paar Hundert #G7 Gipfelgegner am morgen in #Garmisch. Gleich zur Protestwanderung den Berg hoch Richtung Elmau pic.twitter.com/arYs5GNazS
— Julian Staib (@julianstaib) June 7, 2015
Security is very tight, with so many high-profile leaders in the area, but also to try and stop any potential violence from protesters.
Klais this morning - invasion of security forces for beginning of #G7#stopg7elmau@Ruptlypic.twitter.com/INKEJRXXuT
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 7, 2015
World leaders have already started to arrive in the Bavarian Alps in Germany for the G7 summit. Barack Obama was one of the first heads of state to touch down and was given a traditional local welcome, before departing for Schloss Elmau, where the event will take place.
Willkommen! President Obama signs the guest book in Munich before departing for Schloss Elmau for the G7 pic.twitter.com/n93BUNGslx
— Julie Davis (@juliehdavis) June 7, 2015
06 June 2015
Images - Clashes of riot police and #stopg7elmau protester in Garmisch w/ pepper spray and fire extinguisher @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/j99oOaYJ7x
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 6, 2015
The meeting is being held in a “remote citadel,” as the leaders are retreating further from the public, geopolitical analyst Patrick Henningsen told RT.
Police in Garmisch-Partenkirchen have told RT's Peter Oliver that protesters used pepper spray against them. One officer had to receive medical treatment. At least one protester was seen carried away on a stretcher as well.
After first escalation the demo calms down - talks between #stopg7elmau protester and #G7 police @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/uLCtB9IQAI
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 6, 2015
Police have used tear gas against anti-G7 protesters in the Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. At least one man was seen being detained, and several others were taken away by ambulances.
The G7 has long promised to solve many international issues, but it is currently acting as a “concerted power bloc to plan their policies that will benefit elites in Western countries,” Nick Dearden, Director of the NGO Global Justice Now, told RT.
Police currently estimates the crowd at 2,000, and organizers say the number is twice as high.
Around 17,000 police have been deployed near the summit location, and 2,000 Austrian security forces supported them at the nearby border.
The protesters carried banners which read "Fight G7 for Revolution" and "G7 go to hell! I like Putin", and gathered near the railway station at the foot of Germany’s highest peak.
Gute Stimmung. Laute pic.twitter.com/ceETqvwmpy
— StopG7Elmau (@stopg7elmau) June 6, 2015
Thousands of G7 opponents swarmed the small Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Saturday, to protest against the summit. No arrests were reported at the time of writing.
The protesters demand action on issues like poverty, climate change, and globalization, and wanted to demonstrate their anger at the leaders of Germany, France, the US, Italy, the UK, Canada and Japan.
Protesters' spokesman Simon Ernst called them “the henchmen of bankers and corporations”.
The protests in Garmisch-Partenkirchen have so far been peaceful, but extremists are said to be joining the rally of about 8,000 people, police spokesman Hans-Peter Kammerer told AP.
He added that over 22,000 police were on alert.
#Stopg7elmau protest march finally started with 40 min delay - and the poisonous #G7 octopus is back @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/KClzMApGv0
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 6, 2015
Die Demospitze pic.twitter.com/GQwZHfM0GU
— StopG7Elmau (@stopg7elmau) June 6, 2015
#Stopg7elmau March about to start in Garmisch, thousands of protester wait to present their opinion about #G7@Ruptlypic.twitter.com/jpogSP1G44
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 6, 2015
#Stopg7elmau protester w/ flags and banners marching to the central station Garmisch, escorted by riot police @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/sj1DTcfSQ2
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 6, 2015
http://t.co/Xn3urKKqPD Anti-G7 demos kick off in Munich streets @INSubcontinent#INSubcontinent#Germanypic.twitter.com/ux37oTFZDT
— Ecroaker (@Ecroaker) June 6, 2015
The main demonstration took place in the Bavarian capital, Munich, on Thursday, with protesters rallying under the banner “Stop TTIP – Save the Climate – Fight Poverty.”
According to various estimates, there were 20,000-40,000 people on the march.
Riot police escort from #Stopg7elmau protest camp to bahnhof Garmisch, 2.000 protester and hundreds of police @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/M8FVvpIbEi
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 6, 2015
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) June 6, 2015