U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Italy on Sunday (November 24) to attend a meeting of the Group of Seven countries next week amid rising tensions in the war in Ukraine.
G7 leaders last Saturday reiterated a pledge to keep imposing severe costs on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine through sanctions, export controls and other measures, and vowed to support Kyiv for as long as it takes.
The State Department said Blinken would discuss issues including "conflicts in the Middle East, Russia’s war against Ukraine, Indo-Pacific security, and the ongoing crises in both Haiti and Sudan" at the gathering in Italy.
During his Nov. 23-27 trip, Blinken also plans to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican following the G7 talks, it said in a statement.
Blinken exited the plane holding the hands of his young children.
Italy holds the 2024 rotating presidency of the G7, which also includes the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Britain.
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