G7 FMs urge Ukraine ceasefire, address regional tensions

The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers concluded their two-day meeting on Wednesday, issuing a joint statement that addressed the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Middle East, along with several other topics.

The meeting, held under Canada's presidency, was also attended by foreign ministers from Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and Ukraine.

On the Ukraine crisis, the G7 ministers said an "immediate ceasefire is urgently needed," noting that they "agreed that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations."

Regarding the Middle East, the ministers welcomed the recent ceasefire and release of hostages, and called for increased flows of humanitarian aid. On the Iran nuclear issue, they urged Iran to resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

They also discussed the situations in Haiti, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as maritime security, critical minerals, economic resilience and energy security.