Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky was leading a Group of 7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, the Japanese government confirmed on Saturday, prompting a major shift from President Biden, who told US allies he would allow Ukrainian pilots to be airlifted by US- Will allow to train on. Made the F-16 fighter plane. Mr. Biden said he was also Ready to give Ukraine F-16 to other countries,
On Saturday morning, in Hiroshima, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed the change.
As G7 leaders reaffirmed collective support of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion, Mr. Zelensky on Friday welcomed the “historic decision” by Mr. Biden, and said on twitter that he would discuss its “practical implementation” at the summit.
Mr Zelensky was expected to address leaders of the Group of 7 nations, who have gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, a city once leveled by war, as he sought more military aid from his country’s leaders. Is. World’s richest democracy. Japan’s foreign ministry said his visit was arranged after he expressed a “strong desire” to attend face-to-face in a statement,
Quoting government sources, Kyodo News reported that the Ukrainian president is expected to arrive in Hiroshima on Saturday afternoon. Late Friday, he departed for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he attended the Arab League summit, Saudi state news agency informed of,
In Hiroshima, Mr. Zelensky will almost certainly meet face-to-face with Mr. Biden. Several officials said the leaders of India, Brazil and other countries that have been reluctant to support Ukraine are also at the meeting as observers, and Mr. Zelensky’s presence could make it more difficult for them to maintain that stance. Is.
Leaders gathered in Hiroshima – in addition to President Biden, they include the heads of government of Japan, Canada, Britain, France, Germany and Italy; And a top EU official – will speak over the weekend about all the dimensions of Russia’s war in Ukraine. they will likely discuss the important question of providing F-16 fighter jet Kiev and the possibility of negotiating an armistice or peace treaty.
Mr. Biden’s decision on pilot training, which creates a route to supply Ukraine with fighters, complements Mr. Zelensky’s persistent request for advanced warplanes to offset Russian air supremacy. With its advanced missiles and a powerful radar that can spot targets hundreds of miles away, the F-16 has classified and other highly restricted systems that the United States does not want to replicate or fall into hostile hands.
Mr Zelensky’s trip to Japan follows his visit to Saudi Arabia on Fridaylatest stop is on Flurry of his travels outside Ukraine To drum up support ahead of the anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive. In Saudi Arabia, Mr. Zelensky appealed to Arab leaders not to succumb to Russian influence.
The G7 leaders promised severe punishment to Moscow and Russia at the summit that began on Friday. double attempt to stop funding his war, In his meetings with the leaders, Mr. Zelensky will get a chance to discuss the war with some of his staunchest supporters: the US, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Canada and Italy. Leaders of India, Brazil and other nations that have been reluctant to support Ukraine will attend the summit as observers.
Mr. Zelensky has increasingly demonstrated a willingness to venture outside the country, Tour of various European capitals This month to secure promises of more powerful weapons to bolster a planned retaliation against Russia.
Mr Zelensky will make his appeal in a city reminiscent of the devastation of war, in the midst of a conflict that has increased anxiety of a possible nuclear confrontation.
In Visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial on FridayThe site of a World War II nuclear bombing, Japan’s foreign ministry said in a statement, the G7 leaders “reiterated their position that threats of nuclear weapon use by Russia, let alone its use, are unacceptable.”