ah, i cuz i'm a cool breeze. i live, but it was just me in the monroe. oh oh. this is dw news live from berlin. the annual summit of the group of 7 leading democracies is underway here in germany, in talks with host chance or all of shows you as president joe biden stresses the need for the west to stay united in its response to russia's unprovoked invasion of

ukraine will take you live to a joint press conference with the g 7 liter. ah, a marina evans dean. it's good to have you with us. russia's war against ukraine is likely to dominate the agenda as leaders of 7 leading industrialized democracies meet in southern germany. german chancellor, all of scholes is hosting this year's g 7 summit before is the official start. he held bilateral talks with you as president joe biden. the meeting of the world 7 richest nations is focused on how to maintain unity in the face of russia's aggression and how to keep off support for ukraine over the longer term. other issues such as energy security and climate change, or also the agenda russia was, was

a part of the group which was then known as the g 8. but it was expelled after it invaded an annex ukraine crimea region in 2014. today's meeting was expected to be a display of unity and resolve against russia. we should be hearing from the g 7 leaders at a joint press conference shortly. but in the meantime, let's bring in w brussels bureau, chief alexandra phenomena who is add to the g 7 summit venue in the bavarian after you hello to yasandra. and with me in the studio is the w political correspondent, thomas farrah. hello to you both. so alexandra, the g 7 leaders are going to speak to the press shortly. what do you expect them to talk about? well, they are going to speak about a global infrastructure and investment initiative. this is a project that is in particular very important for you asked president joe by it because it was to you asked at that had this initiative. and it was for the very

1st time launched during the last g 7 meeting in cornwall. when the leaders for the very 1st i time and we were there to report on that, i decided to introduce this plan to help plus, developing countries invest more in infrastructure. and, and this plan is meant to be an alternative to china, spelt and rolled initiative them all teach william dollars program that critics say, or has the only goal to advance china's influence. thought that g 7 leaders are saying we would like to establish an alternative to this program because there will be no strings attached. we want to add to help advance democracies in developing countries. we also want them to invest not only in global infrastructure, but also in digital infrastructure and in health infrastructure. and now this

is day, one of the g 7 summit, thomas m, they've been speaking for the last several hours. do you know what they've discussed so far? well, as of now, it's been more about the symbolism of this meeting about the leaders showing that they have a united front when it comes to supporting ukraine or to a rejecting rushes actions in ukraine. we saw that very clearly. and that inaugural bilateral meeting between the president of the united states and the chancellor of germany stressing openly before the press. but also from what we've heard from officials that, that the relationship is very strong. bilateral relationship is indeed in a good moment in a good shape. they haven't, i don't think gone into great detail when it comes to, to why exact is going to be agreed on that. something that's probably in the hands of the negotiate is also caught sherpas. in fact, we heard from,

from white house officials that both leaders didn't discuss extensively, one of the key proposals thus on the table when it comes to the war in ukraine. and that is putting the price cap on, on russian oil. and that's something that we'll probably hear more in the next few days. but basically this initial day was about the family photo, the arrivals, the symbolism of it all. and one of the concrete measures proposals that we will hear is what we're alexandra mentioned just now about infrastructure was as i sandra pointed out, a very important element of last years. g 7 in cornwall. it was part of the final communique. there was also a lot of information coming from the us afterwards. a big fact sheet on what this means and it is very probable. they will also be part of the final document that we here, this time, how that project has evolved. and how does you g 7 can help developing countries when it comes to infrastructure? or the host of this year's g 7 is of course the german chancellor, all of shorten. alexander,

we know that germany and in particular the chancellor has been criticized quite a bit. both abroad and within germany for not doing enough to support ukraine. and yet we heard earlier today the u. s. president biden calling germany one of the fastest and closest allies in the world. what do you make of this comment? well, we heard from a u. s. official stat, this meeting was very friendly and very warm. and there is stressed to that. you asked president joe biden pray stir. mister shold sir leadership but also expressed his trust in the german chancellor. and they also stressed her that the war, sir, bro, to alignment on all of the issues discussion. of course, it's true that germany is one of the closest you as partners allies of. but it is also true that germany, as you sat her, has been facing

a lot of criticism for not doing enough to help ukraine for not providing lethal weapons. there is something that is happening now, but even when a de german chancellor schultz announced to sir about face with regard to germany's foreign and defense policy, many critics assert that he was not determined enough that he was still has it has a tend. so this is a very friendly and warm exchange was also showing up between the 2 leaders or the you as president. the german chancellor was also a showing how important it is for you as it to know that germany is standing on their side. they know that germany is a heavy weight in europe that they can help make things happen. and of course, it is important that germany is being supported asked a host of this g 7 meeting because there are key to ensure that this meeting is a success. so

a very warm and friendly meeting between all of shawls and the u. s. president thomas, do we know what else they talked about? aside from there? excellent relations full. they spoke about about german, meet defense and we heard from, from a white house official there as well. stressing that to the you that the u. s. was very happy about the way germany had announced that it would increase his defense spending. we heard about how the to con, please, and more broadly the g 7 could really continued to help ukraine, whether it is through further arms shipments or politically. there were also discussions or some of the other issues that are important when it comes to to the g 7. so it's not only about ukraine and russia, there are also other issues on the agenda from climate change to global global health. so there was also part of the discussion, but as i, as i mentioned, it is really what comes to the, to the detail, what's discussed behind the scenes that we will then be able to see very clearly when we see that final communicate that final statement. but symbolism certainly

plays a key role, not only mediately now, but i was when you look at the recent history of us and german relations in the past, especially under donald trump, that relationship was really strained. and in previous big summits, big gatherings, you could even notice that. so i'm sure that both governments, both teams from the german chancellor and the u. s. president were really adamant. we're really interested in showing this warm and friendly environment between the 2 leaders. and that was very evident as well in the few images that we got before that bilateral meeting. well, for viewers, if you are just joining us, we're waiting for a joint press statement by the leaders of the g 7 countries who are meeting at a summit, taking place in germany. and while we wait for the light, oh, we'd like to take you to the pros has that are happening on the streets of a town that's next to the summit venue demonstrators. there are demanding swift

action on climate change and also an end to the use of fossil fuels. they're also groups calling on wealthy nations and tackle global poverty and equality and with russia's war and ukraine dominating the talks. some demonstrators are marching for peace as well as cuts to military spending. our correspondent benjamin of ours gruber is at those protests covering them for us . and i spoke to him a short time ago and asked him to tell us about the situation there. the definitely not tens of thousands. you can see them here walking right behind me. there has been a massive police presence here because police does not want to take any risks. there have been a few tense moment with police officers putting on their helmets, but it's been a massive security. massive police presence more than 18. thousands police officers are on duty around garnishment,

controlling. everyone who wants to come to this bavarian town close to the alma castile world. 37 summit is now taking place or just a few tense moments. a lot of movement as they also have gathered in a walking around damaged, partaking, but not no sign of it. is stretched to wood authorities and police if it in the beginning. and now we just saw some of the protesters marching behind you. they were holding up all kinds of colorful banners and waving flags. so who exactly are the people taking part in these protests and what are they demanding? there are several little groups demanding on one side more action boy g 7 leaders when it comes to poverty, when it comes to hunger. when it comes to tackling global challenges, saying that the club, this g 7 club is not doing enough, many of them are saying that imperialistic forces from west and east hall, they call it, should not continue sending weapons to ukraine. so ukraine has been

a topic with this protest, but we just passed by another bigger group with several, you repeat, retraining flags that started singing the ukrainian national lanton. when this group passed, many of them are saying that you, some leaders are not taking this challenges, is serious enough. and they want to have a concrete action when it comes to tackling global climate change. they say that this leaders are not taking enough measures into account that they should start talking with the global south and not just talking about them. there was the w corresponded benjamin a virus gruber on the ground for us at demonstrations near the g 7 summit. thank you so much, benjamin will. as we still wait for the leaders of the g 7 countries to speak to the press at the summit, that's taking place in southern germany. i'm joined now by alexander phenomena are a beer brussels bureau chief, who is standing by at the summit venue and thomas barrow. our political

correspondent is here with me in the studio. alexandra, we do know that the big a key word that we hear a lot in talks of by western leaders is unity in the face of russia's aggression and in support for ukraine. but are we hearing about any concrete plans, some joint initiatives to increase the pressure on the kremlin moving forward? well, we know that there will be a joint statement on the war in ukraine. and we also have to say that the g 7 aiders, as well as nato, as in the lion, i, as you, they have been with the audio with alex. it gets ah, alexandra phenomena. as speaking to us, do we have a audio problem? well, i can still, i can still hear you on a carry on,

alexandra. i can. okay, so as i just sat, we have seen a very remarkable unity among the g 7 leaders. and of course, when we speak about nato and the european union and, and that is something that they would like to continue with. because of course did, would sanda deride signal from their perspective to moscow. and we know that there will be a joint statement on ukraine, on the war in ukraine. the you ask is pushing for more sanctions on russia to ensure that putting knows that the cost of florida war are rising for his regime and sir, together with the u. k, canada, and japan, you as will be imposing additional sanctions, a ban on a russian gold imports. and debt is something that the european union is also considering. that is what we heard today from the european council president shall, michelle. he told us that that is under consideration. however, of course,

here we are talking about 27 members stayed. so it could take a while to get everyone on board and the european union just to prove it 6 package of sanctions. so we will see whether this topic will be included in this expected joint statement on alexander, we're watching how the g 7 leaders are approaching the podium. so it looks like they will be making their statements just in the next couple of moments or, or they're taking their position. so maybe it'll take another few, few minutes, thomas then just quickly before they begin speaking. oh no. i see that to the german chancellor is speaking, so let's listen in hosting with us president joe biden. thanks for your engagement joke that he 7 has set itself the ambition of making the world a better offer on infrastructure and westland. today we are relaunching our joint work as a partnership for global infrastructure.