PRESIDENT Joe Biden had to be removed after missing a photo opportunity at the G7 Summit in Italy on Thursday.
The 81-year-old president could be seen walking away from the group of world leaders as they applauded a parachute jumper who landed in front of them.
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Biden went to talk to another skydiver not far away, with the president giving a thumbs up before exchanging a few words.
Noticing his absence, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni quickly emerged from the other side of the crowd, patting the president on the arm and prompting him to rejoin the group.
World leaders gathered to watch several paratroopers display the flags of allied nations in a show of unity.
Meloni, who is hosting this year’s summit, was seen embracing her role as host and joined the group with Biden for a photo moments later.
The parachute spectacle came ahead of a scheduled news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday.
He and Joe Biden signed a 10-year security pact on Thursday afternoon, considered a precursor to Ukraine joining NATO.
The agreement states that in the event of an armed attack against Ukraine, the US and Ukraine will meet within 24 hours to discuss a response, BBC reports.
While it does not commit the US to sending forces to defend Ukraine, it states that America will support Ukraine in developing its military strength.
This is expected to happen through training, joint planning and cybersecurity efforts.
This year’s G7 Summit focuses on global conflicts, the spread of artificial intelligence and issues in Africa, particularly Italy’s concern over uncontrolled immigration from the continent to Europe.
Other issues, such as the approach to climate change and China, will also be topics of discussion.
One topic that was not on the list and that leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron would like to see on the agenda was abortion and women’s rights.
The G7 is a forum with an annual summit attended by world leaders to discuss economic policy and national security issues.
Starting in 1975, the summit is a three-day event comprised of seven participating countries.
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States participate every year.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
