HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Japan Saturday for talks with the leaders of the world’s most powerful democracies, a personal appearance meant to draw global attention as the nations grappled with Moscow after its 15-month offensive. was pressured. Ukraine.
Fostering international support is a key priority as Ukraine mounts what is seen as a major push to take back territory seized by Russia in the war that began in February last year. Zelensky’s personal visit to the G7 summit comes just hours after the United States allowed training on the powerful American-made fighter jets, laying the groundwork for their eventual transfer to Ukraine.
Host nation Japan said the inclusion of Zelensky stemmed from their “strong desire” to participate in negotiations with the bloc and other countries that would affect their country’s defense against Russia.
“Japan. G7. Important meetings with partners and friends of Ukraine. Security and increased cooperation for our victory. Peace will get closer today,” Zelensky tweeted upon his arrival on a plane provided by France.
An EU official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity about the deliberations said Zelensky would attend two separate sessions on Sunday. One session will be with G7 members only and will focus on the war in Ukraine. The second will involve the G7 as well as other nations invited to attend the summit, and will focus on “peace and stability”.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that US President Joe Biden and Zelensky would have direct engagement at the summit. On Friday, Biden announced his support for training Ukrainian pilots on US-built F-16 fighter jets, a precursor to eventually providing those planes to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is seen in a motorcade as he leaves to attend meetings of the Group of Seven (G7) countries in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, May 20, 2023. (via Kyodo News AP)
In their joint statement on Saturday, the G7 resolved to increase the pressure.
“Russia’s brutal war of aggression is a threat to the whole world in violation of the fundamental norms, rules and principles of the international community. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes to bring about a comprehensive, just and lasting peace,” the group said.
G7 leaders face a balancing act as they seek to address global concerns demanding immediate attention, including climate change, AI, poverty and economic instability, nuclear proliferation and, above all, the war in Ukraine.
China, the world’s No. 2 economy, sits at the nexus of many of those concerns.
There is growing concern that Beijing, which has been steadily building up its nuclear weapons programme, could try to seize Taiwan by force, sparking a wider conflict. China claims the self-ruled island and regularly sends ships and warplanes near it.
The G7 said on Saturday that they do not want to harm China and seek a “constructive and stable relationship” with Beijing, recognizing the importance of “talking openly with China and expressing our concerns directly.”
He also urged China to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine and “support a comprehensive, just and lasting peace”.
The leaders’ statement said North Korea, which has been testing missiles at a frantic pace, should completely abandon its nuclear bomb ambitions, “including any further nuclear tests or launches using ballistic missile technology.” “.
The green light on F-16 training is the latest change by the Biden administration as it moves to equip Ukraine with more advanced and lethal weapons, following earlier decisions to send rocket launcher systems and Abrams tanks. The US has insisted that it is sending weapons to Ukraine for its own defense and has discouraged attacks by Ukraine into Russian territory.
US Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly over the Osan US airbase during joint air force exercises with the United States and South Korea in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)
Sullivan said, “We’ve reached a moment where it’s time to say what Ukraine needs as part of a future force, to be able to defend and defend against Russian aggression.” What is the plan.” ,
Biden told leaders that a decision on when, how many, and who will provide the fourth-generation F-16 fighter jets will be made in the coming months, while training is underway.
G7 leaders have launched a new wave of global sanctions on Moscow as well as plans to increase the effectiveness of existing financial sanctions to hamper Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war effort. Russia is now the most accepting country in the world, but there are questions about effectiveness.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida separately held one-on-one talks with leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, which is hosting the G20 world leaders’ gathering later this year.
India, the world’s largest democracy, has been measured in its comments on the war in Ukraine, and has avoided outright condemnation of Russia’s aggression. While India maintains close ties with the US and its Western allies, it is also a major buyer of Russian arms and oil.
From left, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, while US President Joe Biden talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Do as they gather for a group photo of the leaders. The G7 and invited countries during the G7 leaders’ summit in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool Photo via AP)
The latest sanctions targeted at Russia add to tighter sanctions on previously sanctioned people and firms involved in the war effort. More than 125 individuals and organizations from 20 countries face US sanctions.
The leaders opened the summit with a visit to Peace Park dedicated to the thousands killed in the world’s first wartime atomic bombing. Kishida, who represents Hiroshima in parliament, wants nuclear disarmament to be a major focus of discussions.
The G7 leaders also discussed efforts to strengthen the global economy and address rising prices, which are straining household and government budgets around the world, especially in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The group reiterated its aim to pull together up to $600 billion in financing for the G7’s global infrastructure development initiative, which aims to offer countries an alternative to China’s investment dollars.
Biden, who canceled plans to travel to Papua New Guinea and Australia after being in Japan to return to debt ceiling talks in Washington, is also meeting with leaders of the so-called Quad partnership made up of Japan , Australia, India and the United States.
The G7 includes Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, and Italy, as well as the European Union.