Prime Ministers Office 10 Downing Street
We, the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), met virtually on December 6, 2023, to address global challenges and shape a course for a better future. We reaffirm our commitment made at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, which is a city that suffered an atomic bombing and now has become a symbol of peace. We were joined by Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We remain committed to upholding the rule of law, which protects all nations, especially the vulnerable, as well as global security and human dignity in all parts of the world. We are more united than ever in the pursuit of international peace, prosperity and sustainable development, and have strengthened our engagement with international partners beyond the G7. We thank the Japanese Presidency for their leadership across this year.
Ukraine
For 650 days, the Ukrainian people have bravely resisted Russias illegal aggression. We salute their courage and their resilience, and express our full sympathy and condolences for those suffering. We pay tribute to the sacrifices made by Ukraine to preserve its freedom and the values we share. Our steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraines fight for its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity will never waver. We are taking additional steps today to support Ukrainians in their pursuit of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace that will uphold all the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN), including respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.
We are determined to support an independent, democratic Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. We continue to support Ukraine in further developing President Zelenskyys Peace Formula. As stated in the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine on July 12, 2023, we are formalising our enduring support to Ukraine through specific, bilateral, long-term security commitments and arrangements.
Our commitment remains to restrict exports of all items critical to Russias military and industrial base, including those used on the battlefield and we call on third parties to take equivalent action. We repeat our call for third parties to immediately cease providing material support to Russias aggression, or face severe cost. We will work to further curtail Russias use of the international financial system to further its war in Ukraine, including Russias efforts to use the international financial system to facilitate its expansion of its military industrial base. We will update our measures. We will step up our efforts against evasion and circumvention of our sanctions and export controls measures. We continue to take actions against third country actors who materially support Russias war including by imposing additional measures on entities where appropriate in third countries. We are targeting Russian military procurement networks and those who help Russia acquire machine tools, equipment and key inputs.
We are limiting Russias ability to fund its illegal war by taking steps to limit Russias energy revenue and its future extractive capabilities. We have dramatically reduced our reliance on Russian energy and commodities. We are determined to accelerate work on this path so that Russia is no longer able to weaponize energy against us. We commit to tightening compliance and enforcement of the price cap policy on Russian oil, including by imposing sanctions on those engaged in deceptive practices and by updating our compliance rules and regulations as necessary. We will also continue efforts to curtail Russias revenue from other relevant sectors. We will also continue efforts to reduce Russias revenue from metals. We will introduce import restrictions on non-industrial diamonds, mined, processed, or produced in Russia, by January 1, 2024, followed by further phased restrictions on the import of Russian diamonds processed in third countries targeting March 1, 2024. To further the effectiveness of these measures, those G7 members who are major importers of rough diamonds will establish a robust traceability-based verification and certification mechanism for rough diamonds within the G7 by September 1, 2024, and we will continue to consult with partners, including producing and manufacturing countries on its design and implementation.
We will continue consultations among G7 members and with other partners including producing countries as well as manufacturing countries for comprehensive controls for diamonds produced and processed in third countries on measures for traceability.
As Russia seeks to use winter as a weapon against the Ukrainian people, we are increasing our efforts to provide humanitarian aid and critical energy assistance. We strongly condemn Russian attacks against critical and civil infrastructure across Ukraine. We are supporting Ukraines recovery and reconstruction, including through the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine, and working to encourage further involvement of our private sector. We look forward to successful completion of the upcoming review of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program for Ukraine and support Ukraines continued reform agenda including the efforts for its European path. Decisive progress is needed to direct extraordinary revenues held by private entities stemming directly from Russias immobilised sovereign assets to support Ukraine, consistent with applicable contractual obligations and in accordance with applicable laws. We reaffirm that consistent with our respective legal systems, Russias sovereign assets in our jurisdictions will remain immobilised until Russia pays for the damage it caused to Ukraine.
It is not right for Russia to decide if or when it will pay for the damage it has caused in Ukraine. Russias obligations under international law are clear: Russia must both end its illegal war of aggression and pay for the damage it has caused, which according to the World Bank to date, already exceeds $400 billion dollars. In light of the urgency of disrupting Russias attempts to destroy the Ukrainian economy and failure to abide by its international law obligations, we will explore all possible avenues to aid Ukraine in obtaining compensation from Russia, consistent with our respective legal systems and international law. We direct our relevant ministers to continue working on this issue towards our next meeting.
We reiterate our commitment to holding those responsible to account consistent with international law, including by supporting the efforts of international mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) at Eurojust and welcome ongoing discussions in the Core Group exploring the establishment of a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
Russias irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, its posture of strategic intimidation and its undermining of arms control regimes are unacceptable. Threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone any use of nuclear weapons by Russia, in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine are inadmissible. We deeply regret Russias decision to withdraw its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. We strongly support the International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) continued presence and call for unfettered access to all of Ukraines nuclear sites.
We deplore Russias systematic targeting of Ukrainian Black Sea ports, grain and grain infrastructure. We support all efforts, including those of the UN, to facilitate exports of Ukraines grain and other agricultural products. We welcome the success of Ukraines maritime corridor and the EUs Solidarity Lanes. The increasing levels of global food and nutrition insecurity are exacerbated by Russias aggression against Ukraine.
Middle East
We unequivocally condemn the horrific terror attacks across Israel by Hamas and others that began on October 7, 2023. We emphasise Israels right to defend itself and its people against Hamas, in accordance with international law, as it seeks to prevent a recurrence of these traumatic events, which included murder, hostage-taking, sexual violence, and attacks on children. Hamas offers nothing but suffering to the Palestinian people, and it is an obstacle to a better future for them and for the region. We will continue to coordinate our efforts to isolate Hamas and ensure it cannot threaten Israel.
While welcoming the recent pause that allowed the release of hostages and vital humanitarian aid into Gaza, achieved by the leadership of the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and other countries in the region, we deeply regret that Hamas refused to release all of the female hostages and military operations have resumed. Hamas has shown that it still poses a security threat to Israel, as demonstrated by its continued rocket fire since October 7 and its public statements asserting that it will continue to attack Israel in the future. We urge the immediate release of all remaining hostages without preconditions. At the same time, more urgent action is needed to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and minimise civilian casualties. We support and encourage further humanitarian pauses to enable this.
We are also deeply concerned with the devastating impact on the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza. More effective action must also be taken to prevent the displacement of additional people and protect civilian infrastructure. Every effort must be made to ensure unhindered and continued humanitarian assistance for civilians, including food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter, and access for humanitarian workers. The population is increasingly vulnerable, and with