Image source, Reuters

In her opening remarks around the round table, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says the goal of Italy's leadership of the G7 is to "give value to what unites us" and to be able to "dialogue with all".

The group is not a "self-enclosed fortress" she says, but instead a "container of values" we want to "open to the world".

Meloni says Puglia - a region on the south-east coast of Italy - was chosen to host the summit as it represents their desire to strengthen relationships with the global south.

Over the next three days, she says, they have plans to discuss the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as building on Japan's premiership of the organisation last year, by working on supply chains and artificial intelligence.

Meloni thanks her fellow leaders for attending the summit, saying she has "great pride" at being able to welcome them to Puglia.

Image source, Reuters

The leaders have now begun discussions around the round table at the G7.

Here's a sneak peak at that table from the first session of the first day of talks - on Africa, climate change and development.

Image source, Reuters

"Very good" progress is being made on that plan to use frozen Russian assets to raise money for Ukraine, according to the US's national security advisor.

Before leaders met in Puglia, Jake Sullivan told reporters that they would hopefully have "a common vision on the way forward".

As our correspondent James Landale just explained below, the US is bringing a proposal to the table in Italy that could raise $50bn (£39bn) a year, in the form of a loan secured against frozen Russian assets.

James Landale
Diplomatic correspondent, in Puglia

Essentially there is an idea of how to make more cash for Ukraine by using all the Russian assets that were frozen when the country invaded Ukraine - it's about $300bn in all.

They've decided they can't go full hog and take the whole thing, because of the financial ramifications of that.

But this pot is generating a lot of interest - around $3bn a year - so their idea is to use that interest "in a creative way".

The idea is to take out a loan on the international markets, give about $50bn to the Ukrainians each year, and use the $3bn to pay off the interest on that loan each year.

It sounds relatively straightforward, but it's hugely complicated. There are still lots of technicalities to sort out.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is expecting "important decisions" to be made at this G7 summit.

"A large part of [the summit] will be devoted to Ukraine, our defence and economic resilience," he says.

Of Ukraine's priorities while at the G7, Zelensky says he is after quicker fighter jet pilot training, faster plane deliveries to Ukraine, and more air defence and long range weapons.

He adds that he will be signing security agreements with Japan and the US after bilateral meetings with the countries.

As is tradition at the G7, the seven leaders - put European Union leaders - pose for a family photo ahead of the summit in Puglia.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy's prime minister is now welcoming other G7 leaders - and they'll soon be posing for the customary G7 "family photo".

Image source, Reuters

G7 rushes to help Ukraine while it canpublished at 09:45 British Summer Time 13 June

09:45 BST 13 June

Mark Lowen
Reporting from Puglia

There is an argument here that the leaders will have to rush to make commitments to Ukraine that can be achieved, potentially before Donald Trump wins back the White House - if he does - in November, or if the far-right takes power in France during parliamentary elections.

The domestic political turmoil that many of these G7 countries are facing going into this summit is very much at the forefront of the politicians' minds.

And it could colour what is actually achievable from this summit.

It is coming at a real crunch time in international geopolitics, and next year's G7 might look very different indeed.

Image source, Getty Images

Also heading to the summit is Pope Francis, who will become the first pontiff to attend a G7.

He's due to address the issue of artificial intelligence.

The 87-year-old has previously called for the global regulation of AI, warning of its danger to human rights and ethics.

The summit comes as a number of leaders - including Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden - face electoral challenges back home.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is down in the polls ahead of a general election next month.

In a matter of weeks, the party of French President Emmanuel Macron also faces voters, after he called a snap parliamentary election following a resounding loss in the European elections.

And Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Joe Biden similarly face a tough battle the next time voters head to the polls.

The shaky political situation in many G7 countries is causing some observers to have low expectations about what can be achieved.

Image source, Getty Images

The G7 is a group of seven of the world's largest so-called "advanced" economies.

Its members - Canada, France Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the United States - meet throughout the year to discuss global events, with one set-piece summit a year.

Russia joined in 1998, creating the G8, but was excluded in 2014 for its takeover of Crimea.

This year Italy holds the presidency of the organisation, and so the G7 summit is being held in Puglia, Italy.

As is tradition, a number of other world leaders have been invited this year, including Argentina's Javier Milei and India's Narendra Modi.

Top of the agenda is a plan by the G7 to approve the use of frozen Russian assets to raise billions of dollars for Ukraine.

The US proposal - which is expected to be approved - could raise $50bn (£39bn) a year for Ukraine, as well as applying fresh economic pressure to Russia.

The money would be provided in the form of a loan, secured against the interest on the Russian assets frozen by G7 countries since the start of the war.

It is hoped that, if passed, the plan would give cash-starved and war-weary Ukraine another vital lifeline.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage as world leaders arrive at the annual G7 summit in Puglia, Italy.

Once there, they’re expected to approve a plan to use interest from frozen Russian assets to raise billions of dollars from Ukraine.

President Zelensky is also due to attend, where he'll sign a new security deal with the United States.

We're expecting them to take their traditional family photo a bit later - stick with us as we bring you all the latest.