President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set make a high-stakes visit to the Group of Seven summit, seeking to win support from middle powers such as Brazil and India while building on the backing of the US and its allies as Ukraine readies a counter-offensive to Russia’s invasion.
The leader received some good news before arriving in Hiroshima, when US President Joe Biden dropped his reluctance on countries sending F-16 fighters to Kyiv. That could eventually boost Ukraine’s ability to take on Russia in the air and support its troops on the ground.
G-7 leaders, who have been looking to secure supply chains for key materials that were less dependent on China, also launched a new measure to counter economic coercion. The leaders are looking to send a signal to Beijing that they are united in countering what they see as hostile actions on the economic front by President Xi Jinping’s administration.
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(All times JST)
Japan Confirms Zelenskiy Visit (9:30 am)
The government formally announced Zelenskiy will attend the G-7 in person, saying the decision came after he expressed a strong desire to meet other leaders face-to-face. Zelenskiy will take part in two sessions on Sunday, one on Ukraine with G-7 leaders and one on peace and stability that includes outreach leaders.
He will also meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for bilateral talks.
Kishida Meets Modi for Talks (8:29 a.m.)
Kishida met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss trade and economic relations. India is one of several nations invited to the gathering and Modi is also due to speak with Zelenskiy in the Japanese city, which would be their first in-person conversation since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
India has been a prime buyer of Russian oil and weapons, providing hard currency to Vladimir Putin’s government at a time the G-7 is seeking to starve the Russian economy of funds. It’s in the so-called Quad grouping with Australia, Japan and the US, whose leaders will also meet in Hiroshima. The group has been seen as a counterforce to Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
What’s the ‘Quad’ and Should China Fear It?: QuickTake
Biden Eyes $375M Ukraine Military Package: Politico
Biden is set to announce a new aid package for Ukraine after meeting Zelenskiy at the G-7, Politico reported, citing three US and Ukrainian officials. The $375 million package will include more artillery shells, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons, according to Politico.
China Warns Trudeau Off ‘Provocation’ (4:19 a.m.)
China’s ambassador is urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to avoid further “provocation” as Canada weighs whether to launch a public inquiry into claims the Chinese government meddled in its elections.
Ambassador Cong Peiwu said Canada should consider returning to a more independent foreign policy rather than following the lead of the US, its neighbor and biggest trading partner.
China Warns Trudeau Off ‘Provocation’ After Diplomatic Spat
Saudis Host Zelenskiy, Assad (1:10 a.m.)
Zelenskiy attended an Arab summit in Saudi Arabia before leaving for Hiroshima and addressed leaders including Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad, a pariah in the West and staunch Putin ally.
Zelenskiy had sit-down meetings with the heads of delegations from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Oman, his office said. Arab countries have opted against sanctioning Russia and most are neutral about the war, if not openly supportive of Putin.
Saudis Host Zelenskiy, Assad in New Show of Diplomatic Force (1)
Group Photo and Working Dinner (6:20 p.m.)
The leaders gathered at Itsukushima Shrine on Friday to walk the grounds and pose for a group photo in front of its vermilion-hued torii gate set in inland sea waters. They also held a working dinner where discussions touched on subjects including tensions in the Taiwan Strait and nuclear disarmament.
G-7 Demands Russia Unconditionally Withdraw Troops (5:15 p.m.)
The leaders issued a statement after their session on Ukraine where they reiterated “our firm rejection of Russia’s illegal attempts to acquire Ukrainian territory by force.” They also appeared to take a stand against a cease-fire proposal by China, which sent a special envoy to Ukraine this week, saying: “We underline that a just peace cannot be realized without the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment, and this must be included in any call for peace.”
The leaders said they will work to restrict Russia’s access to their economies and cut off the flow of items that could be used for the Kremlin’s war machine. “We reiterate our call on third parties to immediately cease providing material support to Russia’s aggression, or face severe costs,” they said.