Global Courant 2023-05-19 11:57:12
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will appear in person this weekend at the Group of 7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, a Ukrainian official said. the richest democracies in the world.
It was not clear when Mr. Zelensky would arrive in Japan. Details of his journey have been kept vague and closely guarded for security reasons. But the leaders gathered in Hiroshima — including President Biden and his counterparts from Japan, Canada, Britain, France, Germany and Italy — will spend the next three days talking about all dimensions of Russia’s war in Ukraine. They will likely discuss enforcement of sanctions, whether to supply F-16 fighter jets to Kiev and the possibility of negotiating a ceasefire or peace treaty.
Oleksii Danilov, the head of the National Defense Council of Ukraine, announced Mr Zelensky’s trip on national television following news reports of his presence.
“Very important things will be done there, so the physical presence of our president is important to defend our interests,” Mr. Danilov said. “To give clear proposals and clear arguments regarding the events taking place on the territory of our country.”
Over the past week, Mr. Zelensky has visited Britain and other European countries. He is willing to travel outside Kiev, among other things, to show that he has confidence in the stability of his own government. There have been no known attempts by the Russians to disrupt his travels.
If Mr. Zelensky arrives in Hiroshima as expected, he will almost certainly have a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Biden. The leaders of India, Brazil and other nations reluctant to support Ukraine are also attending the meeting, as observers, and Mr Zelensky’s presence could make it more difficult for them to maintain that position, several officials said .
There was news of Mr. Zelensky’s anticipated trip to Japan previously reported by The Financial Times and other news outlets. Ukrainian and Japanese news media had previously suggested that he would participate virtually in the G7 summit.
With its imminent counter-offensive against Russian forces, Ukraine hopes to turn the tide of a conflict that has evolved in recent months into a grueling, exhausting struggle with little movement. Mr. Zelensky will make his case against the backdrop of a city starkly reminiscent of the catastrophic cost of war.
“It is our job to maintain the momentum of international support and communication for Ukraine,” said Mr. Zelensky said in his nightly speech on Thursday. “I am confident that we will accomplish this task.”
