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Ukraine’s Zelensky visits G7 summit, seeks support against Russia

20.05.2023 22:00
Ukraine’s president has visited a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, Japan, in a bid to broaden support for his country’s effort against the Russian invasion, according to news outlets.
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at Hiroshima airport, in Hiroshima, Japan, on a visit to the G7 Summit Leaders Meeting, on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at Hiroshima airport, in Hiroshima, Japan, on a visit to the G7 Summit Leaders' Meeting, on Saturday, May 20, 2023. PAP/EPA/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT

Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the Japanese city on a French government jet on Saturday, the Reuters news agency reported.

He flew to the G7 meeting from an Arab League summit, which was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, according to news outlets.

New sanctions on Russia, F-16, new US military aid for Ukraine

The three-day G7 get-together, which runs until Sunday, has already agreed new sanctions on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, the Reuters news agency reported.

Moreover, US President Joe Biden on Friday told his G7 counterparts that America would allow allies to provide US-made F-16 and other advanced fighter jets to help Ukraine fight the Russian invasion, marking a major boost for Kyiv, according to officials.

Biden was also expected to announce a new USD 375m military aid package for Ukraine, including artillery, ammunition and HIMARS rocket launchers, Britain’s The Guardian newspaper reported.

Zelensky meets UK’s Sunak, France’s Macron, Germany’s Scholz in Hiroshima

Zelensky on Saturday held bilateral talks with several world leaders in Hiroshima, saying in a tweet afterwards: “We are adding strength to Ukraine.”

The Ukrainian president said he had meetings with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Zelensky also held talks with Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, one of the “non-aligned countries” in attendance at the G7 summit, the Reuters news agency reported. 

Ukraine’s president was also due to meet with other “Global South” leaders present in Hiroshima, according to officials.

Peace formula, military support, financial aid for Ukraine 

Zelensky related Saturday's talks in a video address to Ukrainians, according to news outlets.

He also said in a tweet: “Peace Formula. We attract as many countries and leaders as possible for the sake of Ukraine. Defense. Long-term support programs for Ukraine. Finance and economy.”

He added: “First day in Hiroshima ahead of the G7 is very powerful. The second day will be even more powerful.” 

The G7 brings together the world’s biggest advanced economies and liberal democracies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States, as well as the European Union as a "non-enumerated member."

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II. 

Saturday is day 451 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

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Source: PAP, Reuters, president.gov.ua, The Guardian