G7 summit kicks off in Germany with Ukraine top on agenda

Since the start of Russia's war on Ukraine, the first in-person gathering of the world's seven leading economies kicked off in Germany on Sunday with leaders discussing the war-driven food, and energy crises.

The three-day event is taking place at Schloss Elmau in the Bavarian Alps, with its agenda considered more urgent than ever as the war in Ukraine continues.

Having taken the G7 presidency from the UK in January, Germany has set a goal of “progress towards an equitable world.”

Under the theme, issues such as a sustainable planet, economic stability and transformation, healthy lives, and sustainable investments will be discussed.

As the UN has repeatedly warned of an "unprecedented global hunger crisis" as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, the G7 leaders are expected to make new commitments to food security and tackling rising energy prices.

On Saturday, a large number of protesters gathered in Munich to demand a fight against extreme hunger, provision of social justice and a halt to the usage of fossil fuels.

From Attac (Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions and for Citizens' Action) to the World Wildlife Fund, around 15 groups critical of globalization are expected to participate in the demonstrations during the summit.

The situation in Ukraine is expected to top the agenda with leaders promising more help to the country.

The world's seven richest nations will announce a ban on Russian gold imports, US President Joe Biden said on Sunday.

"Together, the G7 will announce that we will ban the import of Russian gold, a major export that rakes in tens of billions of dollars for Russia," he announced on Twitter.

"We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. The negative global impact of Russia’s war will be front and center of our exchanges at the G7," said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.