Why the West’s revitalisation is well underway

IN THE build-up to next week’s G7 leadership summit, a wide range of issues from climate change to the world economy have been discussed by Western ministers. However, the overriding issue to be discussed in Hiroshima from May 19 to 21 is Ukraine and its ongoing ramifications.

It is now some 440 days since Russia’s invasion, and there is no obvious sign that the conflict will be over soon. This was highlighted on Tuesday (May 9) by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said: “I don’t think peace negotiations are possible… Both sides are convinced they can win… I don’t see Russia being willing to pull out of the territories it’s occupying at the moment and I think Ukraine is hoping to retake them.”

The outcome of the conflict therefore remains highly uncertain. Yet, what is much clearer is the galvanising impact it has had on the West, including the G7, in the last year and a half.