The G7 group of the world's leading industrialized economies' foreign ministers want to send a joint signal for freedom and democracy at the conclusion of their meeting in Liverpool on Sunday.

The G7 group, which includes Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Italy, Canada and Japan, must "take a stand as an united front against aggressors who seek to undermine freedom," British host Liz Truss said ahead of the meeting.

Against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis, dealing with Russia is one of the main topics of the meeting. Greater independence from China and concerns over Iran's nuclear programme are also on the agenda.

Most of the guests were not able to attend the meeting in person due to the spread of the new, more contagious coronavirus Omicron variant.

The summit in Liverpool, in north-west England, is the last G7 meeting under the British presidency. From 2022, Germany will take over the role.

New German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that she wants to make the fight against the climate crisis one of the central topics of the German presidency.

dpa