G7 summit opens with deal to use Russian assets for Ukraine as Italy flexes its right-wing muscles

By NICOLE WINFIELD, PAOLO SANTALUCIA and COLLEEN LONG
Associated Press

BORGO EGNAZIA, Italy (AP) — A summit of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations has opened in Italy. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni welcomed the G7 leaders and formally presided over closed-door talks on Thursday. Meloni in her opening remarks compared the bloc to the Puglia region’s famed olive trees, with strong roots and branches pointing toward the future. Negotiators reached agreement hours before the official opening of the summit on a U.S. proposal to back a $50 billion loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets as collateral. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the G7 countries are sending a strong message that they will support Ukraine “for as long as it takes.” Pope Francis is to address the summit on Friday.