ah, ah ah ah, this is dw news life from berlin. the annual summit of the group of 7 leading democracies gets underway in germany and talks with i was to chance a lot will have shorts. you, as president joe biden stressed the need for the west to stay united in its response to rochester unprovoked invasion of ukraine, also coming up explosions, robert the ukranian capital in the 1st apparent russian attack. when keith, in nearly 3 weeks, the cities may assist the last shot, a historical or historic central district, and a residential complex was on fire. we'll get the latest from our correspondent

there. ah. hello monica jones, welcome rush. us war against ukraine is said to dominate the agenda as leaders of 7 leading industrialized democracies meet in southern germany. german chancellor, will our shorts is hosting the d 7 summit and he held talks with you as president joe biden. before we got underway, the war is putting the spotlights on the gathering us leaders decide on a unified approach to russia, as well as issues that have become increasingly pressing, like energy security and climate change. now russia was once a part of the group, then known g 8, but was expelled after it began hostilities against ukraine that was back in $24.00 . today's meeting is said to be

a display of unity and resolve against the former member as the u. s. and german leaders underlined. a sure we have a week to work and they can amik jones with emotional messages with no small part because we're for more i'm not joined there in the studio by dw political correspondent, thomas barrow, and the political editor, mikayla tufa is at the summit venue in the bavarian out, i would like to start with you as president joe biden. german chancellor will,

i've talked about unity and the pictures we saw. they're clearly mirrored that unity. what kind of signal are they sending out? yes, this is a signal of symbolism. the overarching overshadowing issue, of course, is the war on ukraine, but it's not just about demonstrating that as the leading industrialized nation, although not everyone is here because the d 7 was found in the seventy's asked. and the united essentially it is the traditional west over this, at the same time, we thought of joe biden, heaps praise on german chance it would have souls praising his leadership during that time the titan bender. also during the time of transition from the macro government. now this of course is very welcome praise for him and his leadership as he faces continuing criticism, actually over being too hesitant in providing a weapons to ukraine. and the economic fall out of the war in ukraine is more and

more concerning everybody, not just to europe or the entire world with soaring energy price. i mean, nobody needs telling, you know, prices are going up everywhere. inflation and looming hunger crisis. and if it's not up to these leading countries, who else can fix this and do biden very concrete, he wants to see a cap on oil prices is also talk of a stop and trading in gold towards russia as well. this is something that could become a concrete outcome in what is to the outside, usually a hugely symbolic meeting at always, highlighting western values, democratic values, also the guest countries. in india, for instance, south africa, they are democracies, and this is what the g 7 wants to create. it wants to extend itself, not just to a partners who are strong economically, but who also stand for democracy. right?

i mean, i would like to pick up where with thomas barry in the studio on 2 things. you mentioned one, this unity and certainly edge abide and her praise of germany, which, which come somewhat as a surprise given a germany somewhat with stained a restraint, a stance on retrain. and the reaction to the russian aggression to when biden calls germany the fastest and closest ally in the world, would you make that it is indeed significant because you may know that germany donated states have not necessarily seen eye to eye on every single issue for a long time, even during anglo merkel and barack obama, there were certain differences. for example, when it came to germany's spending on defense, it's needless to say, there were very many differences between germany and the u. s. during the presidency of donald trump. and as such, when joe biden bake became president of the united states. and by the way, when olive shock became chancellor of germany only a few months ago, they both decided to really restart that bilateral relationship and basically

stress the importance the historical importance of that relationship between both countries. the when we see joe, by mentioning those words, now those warm words in her mouth, the barbarian out. it refers to that goal that both countries have to basically reinforce the importance of the bilateral relationship at a time when it's more important than ever. that these 2 countries, but also all the other countries present work together to discuss not only on for the sanctions, to russia as me, had mentioned all further support to ukraine, but also in some of those global consequences of the war in ukraine. because we're talking here about a war that has really consequences worldwide when it comes to prices. you had mentioned that as well, but food security in many countries. so, definitely significant talks between both countries that are prelude, if you will, of what we'll see in the next few days among all those leaders that are attending the summit and, and exactly, and some of those leaders that we've seen

a life pixar just earlier as wonder thomas bear in the studio and mikayla kitchena, our chief political editor, n no n ammonia, gar, ms. patton, choosing ed 7 ah, at misha ala, i mean, michelle michelle, there was a touching on, ah, basically, almost every, ah, challenge that the world is covered currently faced with her, including, ah, in the usa reaction or to russia and, and putting more pressure on the lady me polluted. what did you make of that? was this a very diplomatic lead brussels lingle, or was there something substantial though he was very cautious because he knows that there is no common line within the european union whom he represents on a full energy embargo against russia. and the very delicate balance that leaders have to tread in sanctioning russia is not to harm themselves more than russia. for

instance, on gas though soaring, gas prices mean that russia needs to explored a lot less to and even more money. so depriving that warmer scene of oxygen means making sure russia earns money and really feeling the pain. and that is proving very difficult when it comes to energy. that's why this talk on a cap in an oil prices which would have to be global, or else it would hit those, implementing it harder than russia once again. and that is where everybody is torn. and the d 7 already called upon at to mean it. when they talk about solidarity and being united, there will be very concrete figures at we're ready, we're putting, we'll be able to see whether that unity is more symbolism or whether when it starts costing money and taking risks will really stand up. and that's what needed to talk about her behind the closed door a we expect also

a statement on democracy together with the so called partner countries. these people guest countries. but partner countries who didn't chair in those sanctions like south africa for instance. and that is, of course, it bids to not then drift towards russia. india also a key country here. it is currently benefiting it, benefiting from actually still importing at russian oil. it is helping license a russian will exports by licensing ships. and this is about c as of influence and reassuring partners that the g 7 side, the western side is the right side to beyond that is more beneficial for them. all of this happening behind closed doors and us very closely looking and carefully weighing every word in those final statements. we're expecting at least $31.00, and ukraine wanted to communicate and one on democracy. and with those it guest countries together. by me, aiela enter the you council president. michelle was also addressing out the block

her attempt to restart. ukraine said great and exports are actually in, in onto to a question though from one of our own colleagues, alexandra for nom. and that's just listen to part of his answer. social form is important. to me, every scene which is possible in order to win blood, the black seat is deposited. there are 22 tons. so $22.00 millions of tons of groups that are currently blocked in the black sea and is while we are totally treated in your mission to lot of efforts in support of antonio to terrorist and united nations are to make sure that the sooner or later and i hope is mr. possible, on agreement to it will be possible to the, to meet possible for ukraine to export through the black sea, the grinch we shall blocked in ukraine at same time, we felt weird in short, possible agreement. we are very active together. we are a member, susan of the to use alternative route through poland through ammonia, and through the 20s,

under thomas farah. here in the studio with me when we were watching this life, i noticed you fidgeting on your seat. so i would like to, to turn to you with her, with michelle's answer there on and how you hopes to unlock all those tons of grain that are stuck there in you guys just so much to mention about this particular issue. because you know that ukraine is one of the biggest produces of grain in the world, and there are millions of tons of these grains that are stuck in ukrainian silos. ukraine previously exported most of that through the black sea. it can't do that now. and that's what we're hearing shy michelle, but other leaders discuss how they can actually get that grain out. one of the options overland. there are lots of problems there. in particular, i'm just to give you one concrete example because the tracks in ukraine, the rail trucks in the ukraine are not the same as attract in other countries. so they have to start. it's a big logistical challenge. they're the 2nd option,

and that's one of the reasons actually why some of these get countries as they were called a partner countries were invited, is try and find alternate is what happens if you crane can't export continuously. it's grain through, for example, the black sea, and let's not forget this harvest coming in the next few weeks. so it makes things even more difficult. and that's when germany, but other countries are looking at possible alternatives. one concrete example there just to highlight this argentina, argentina is as ukraine, one of the biggest produces of grading the world could argentina start to fill the gap. that's one of the big questions that are going to probably be discussed there . this gives you an idea, and i would really like to stress this, that when we talk about the war in ukraine, we're not talking only about what's happening there, what effects it has on europe. it is the clear understanding of the german government, and that's going to be discussed during the day. so in an animal that the consequences of the war in ukraine a felt world wide and that is such, it is specifically needed to address those challenges in this multi latch all

format. so that's again why it's important at the end. what kind of documents will come out, what we can actually read from them. so mikaela will be looking very carefully at every word. we will be doing the same here in berlin. and what we're seeing here right now, it almost is of course the german chancellor will have shells and his wife as they are getting ready to attend to all the other t 7 leaders and all the other guests that lost our castle. l mouth and in bavaria. here we see the, the head of the european commission, also out upon the line also. so everybody there gathering, apparently now outside the castle for the, the big photo, the big photo opportunity. we all remember the iconic picture that was taken out at the last g 7 in the 2015 when germany hosted with angular medical enter. obama. of course, there are always preparations here that go for a long time behind the scenes. what happens if it's raining? what happens if they can't have this photo opportunity,

but this photo opportunities? it is very important for such a context on a d 7 or a g 20 or whatever summit you have because it's ultimately some of those images that will be remembered later. and you mentioned specifically one of the previous some, it's specifically there and, and there's a picture there, which is really one of the most iconic pictures of the merkel era and glamour called barack obama sitting, both with that can tactic scenery in the background. and when you look back at what anglo merkle data, the chance are, and you look at the most important pictures that one of them. so when we look now and what images are being produced, it'll be interesting to all to find out whether there are some images there that in maybe $510.00, or 15 years will need to reboot was either history books pegged to olive, shortest time of chancellor in germany and there we have of course sir you're thinking council president shall.