G-7 reassures Ukraine on Nato bid, frets over threat to UN peacekeepers

NAPLES, Italy - Defence ministers of the Group of Seven (G-7) wealthy democracies on Oct 19 backed Ukraine's "irreversible" path to Nato membership and expressed concern over threats to United Nations peacekeepers targeted by Israel in Lebanon.

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The first gathering of G-7 defence ministers took place as Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah continued to exchange fire, with one drone directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home, according to his spokesperson.

Italy holds the G-7 rotating presidency for 2024 as the West grapples with the Middle East crisis, the Russian advance in Ukraine and China's military activities around Taiwan, as well as heightened tensions along the border of North and South Korea.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, who hosted the meeting in the southern city of Naples, told reporters the G-7 could not solve global tensions alone, but needed to stimulate action across the international community.

"The G-7 must be like a gadfly that has the strength to sting the rest of the world," he said at a news conference.

Along with Italy, the G-7 includes the United States, Canada, France, Japan, Germany and Britain. Representatives of Nato and the European Union, and Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, also joined the talks.