Leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) nations are planning to impose stricter sanctions on Russia at their upcoming summit in Japan. Officials with direct knowledge of the discussions have revealed that the new measures, to be announced during the May 19-21 meetings, will focus on curtailing Russia’s energy production and impeding trade that supports its military efforts. These steps aim to counter sanctions evasion involving third countries and undermine Russia’s ability to sustain its war activities. The United States, in particular, has been advocating for a change in the G7’s sanctions approach, which currently allows all goods to be sold to Russia unless explicitly blacklisted. The Biden administration seeks to implement a more restrictive approach where exports are automatically banned, except for approved items in specific categories. This adjustment would make it more difficult for Moscow to exploit loopholes in the sanctions regime. While G7 members have not yet agreed to apply this approach universally, they are expected to adopt a presumption of export bans in sensitive areas related to Russia’s defense industry.
The precise scope of these new rules is still under discussion, and the exact language of the joint declarations by G7 leaders is subject to negotiation. The G7 comprises the United States, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. This move by the G7 leaders is prompted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as Western allies seek additional ways to tighten already restrictive sanctions on Russia. These measures include export controls, visa restrictions, and an oil price cap. The aim is to exert pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government, although the full-scale invasion of Ukraine has persisted despite these efforts.
The forthcoming G7 summit is expected to address the issue of food security in the aftermath of the conflict, as well as the potential launch of major counter-offensive operations by Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is anticipated to address the G7 leaders during the summit, either virtually or in-person, as he seeks support from Western allies. The impact of these proposed sanctions and changes in language on Russia’s behavior remains to be seen, but they are likely to have long-term implications for the restrictiveness of the overall regime.