G7: Sullivan-Biden To Measure Success On 'Tangible Progress' On Issues (1/2)

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken at a briefing ahead of the G7 leaders' summit taking place 13-14 June in Apulia, Italy. He says that US President Joe Biden will measure the success of the meeting "by whether or not we made tangible progress" on a range of issues including reaching agreement on Chinese 'overcapacity', the use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine as well as broader military support for Kyiv, and seeking consensus on the war in Gaza. Says that "I think we're teed up for success in that regard, but we'll have to see how the next two days unfold,".

• On Israel and Gaza, Sullican says that Israel is standing behind the US ceasefire proposal, and that the 'goal is how to bridge gaps with Hamas and get to a deal as rapidly as possible'. Says that 'the world should encourage Hamas to agree to a ceasefire proposal' and 'avoid stalemate'. 
• On how to use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine says there has been 'good progress' and that he hopes for an agreement by the time G7 leaders meet. Says that the G7 is on the verge of a 'good outcome' and that 'we expect to have the major tentpoles of agreement in place' but that the leaders 'will leave specifics to be worked through by experts on a defined timetable.'
• Says that leaders are 'more unified than ever' on major issues, including on Chinese industrial 'overcapacity' - a major theme of US rhetoric on China at present.
• Schedule of day 1 sees working groups on Africa, climate change and development (1115CET), the Middle East (1245CET) and Ukraine (1415CET).