Zelensky’s trip to Japan is a risk worth taking
The G7 is dominating the headlines even before the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He decides to travel thousands of miles to Hiroshima – a calculated security risk he must believe he is worth taking.
“Very important things will be decided there,” said Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.
“The presence of our president is absolutely necessary to defend our interests.”
Zelensky has already laid the groundwork for his G7 address. In the past ten days he has traveled to Italy, Germany, France and the UK to ensure he had his talking points in hand before heading to Hiroshima.
The Ukrainian leader has told his Western allies that he wants a “coalition of jets”.
So far, he has had a commitment from Britain to help train pilots – but they want more.
Ideally, he wants fighter jets.
He also wants to pull aside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who plans to double his country’s defense budget over the next five years.
Japan has drawn a clear line on the Ukraine war, joining other G7 countries in imposing sanctions on Russia. Mr Kishida visited Ukraine in March and has pledged a further $5.5bn (£4.4bn) in aid.
Zelensky will hope that an impassioned appeal made in person in a Japanese city already reeling from the horrors of war will have an impact – and prompt world leaders to push back Russian forces and end the long conflict. There will be a prompt to offer not only aid but more weapons to help.
Ukraine Peace Summit Proposal
Earlier, an EU official said G7 leaders would also discuss a proposal for a Ukraine peace summit later this week.
Any such summit is expected to bolster support for Ukraine, as the war enters its 16th month.
Ukraine has made a 10-point proposal for peace. Chinese officials also visited Kiev this week to promote their 12-step plan to end the conflict, which requires less from Russia.
Kiev told Beijing’s envoy that he would not accept the loss of any territory for a peace deal.
Ukrainian security official confirmed Zelensky’s visit.
According to Reuters, a Ukrainian security official told JEE News that President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Japan for the G7.
“Very important things will be decided there and therefore the presence of our president is absolutely necessary to defend our interests,” said Oleksii Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
Zelensky representative won’t comment on speculated visit
Ukraine’s president will attend the G7 summit in person on Sunday, his office has declined to comment following reports.
A representative declined to confirm the media reports, which cited unidentified sources. Iryna Pobedonostseva would only say that there were “various options”.
Zelensky was already due to give a video address to G7 leaders on Sunday – but there was widespread speculation that he might make the visit.
What’s been happening?
G7 leaders are now heading to their first formal lunch and meetings – with the Hiroshima summit in full swing. Here’s a summary of what’s happened so far:
- Leaders laid flowers at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in tribute to the victims of the WW2 atomic bombing
- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida welcomed the guests. He has pushed for nuclear disarmament talks to be high on the agenda this weekend.
- But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war remain the dominant theme.
- There are reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may attend Sunday’s summit in person – but this has not been confirmed.
- And the US, UK and EU have all flagged increased sanctions on Russia.
- Relations with China will also be a key topic, as G7 leaders seek to ensure a “free and independent Indo-Pacific region”.
- As at previous G7 summits, protesters gathered against the group, many chanting anti-war slogans near the leaders this morning.
