Leading diplomats from the Group of Seven wealthy nations have vowed to take a stern position against China’s growing threats towards Taiwan and against North Korea’s unrestrained long-range missile testing.

Monday’s agenda for the envoys assembled in the Japanese resort town of Karuizawa was largely dominated by Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.

Their discussions will prepare the G7 leaders’ meeting in Hiroshima next month for action.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, the foreign minister of Japan, reminded his colleagues that the conflict in Ukraine has reached a “turning point” and that any unilateral attempts to impose a change in the status quo must be vehemently rejected.

The Biden administration’s objective, according to a senior official travelling with the U.S. secretary of state, is to strengthen support for Ukraine.