Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to appear at the Group of 7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan later this week to demand more weapons and more aid from the world’s richest democracies.
His participation will follow a visit to Saudi Arabia, where Mr. Zielinski Arrived on Friday To attend a summit of Arab leaders, his latest stop on a trip outside Ukraine to drum up support ahead of a widely expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.
It was not immediately clear whether Mr Zielinski would travel to Japan in person or attend the G7 events virtually. Several officials told The New York Times that the Ukrainian leader would travel to Japan, but did not say when he would arrive.
Details of Mr Zielinski’s travels are generally kept under wraps for security reasons. While the head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council initially confirmed Friday morning that the Ukrainian leader would attend the meeting in person, the council later said in a statement that Mr. Zelensky would participate online. .
However Mr Zelensky appears, leaders gathered in Hiroshima – including President Biden and the heads of government of Japan, Canada, Britain, France, Germany and Italy – will discuss all aspects of Russia’s war in Ukraine over the next three days. I will talk. They will likely discuss the imposition of sanctions, whether to provide. F-16 fighter jets Kiev and the possibility of negotiating a cease-fire or peace treaty.
Oleksiy Danilov, head of Ukraine’s National Defense Council, announced Mr Zelensky’s visit on national television on Friday after reports that he would attend.
Very important things will be done there. Therefore, the physical presence of our President is important to defend our interests,” Mr. Danilov said. “Providing clear propositions and clear arguments about the happenings on our country’s soil.”
A short time later, the council’s website published a brief statement saying Mr. Zielinski would attend the summit online. Mr. Zielinski’s office did not immediately respond to a question about the conflicting information.
In the past week, Mr Zielinski has visited the UK and other European countries. He is willing to travel outside of Ukraine to show that he has confidence in the stability of his government. There have been no known attempts by the Russians to interfere with his travels.
If Mr. Zielinski arrives in Hiroshima, he will almost certainly meet Mr. Biden one-on-one. Leaders from India, Brazil and other nations reluctant to support Ukraine are also at the meeting as observers, and Mr. Zelenskiy’s presence could make it more difficult for them to maintain that position, several officials said.
There was news of Mr. Zielinski’s expected trip to Japan. Reported earlier By the Financial Times and other news outlets. Ukrainian and Japanese news media had previously suggested he would attend the G7 summit virtually.
With its impending counteroffensive against Russian forces, Ukraine hopes to turn the tide of a conflict that has turned into a grinding, drying war with little movement in recent months. Mr. Zielinski will make his plea against the backdrop of a city that stands as a stark reminder. The devastating costs of war.
“We have the task of maintaining the momentum of international cooperation and communication for Ukraine,” Mr. Zelinsky said In his evening address on Thursday. “I’m confident we’ll get the job done.”
