Canada has announced new sanctions on Russia, along with new funding, as Russia tries to recapture previously lost land in Ukraine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said more than 70 new sanctions would focus on individuals supporting Russia's illegal military action and complicit in human rights violations. Tire maker DAK has recently been granted an export licence to send raw fuel to Russia. Companies can prove they do not violate sanctions by showing how they identify entities and individuals subject to sanctions, along with any processes they put in place to ensure compliance. Canadian sanctions impact a variety of sectors, such as the finance, energy, and mining sectors. Russia retaliated against Canada by blacklisting nine Canadians including parliamentarians and senior officials.
US to support providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine
BBC
23-05-19 19:30
The US government is set to support Ukraine in providing advanced fighter jets, including US-made F-16s to aid in the country's fight against Russia. The US has also backed training pilots on these planes. President Biden informed G7 leaders of the decision ahead of meetings in Japan. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky requested these fighter jets several months ago, and the decision by the US will allow other nations to export their own F-16s, as the US must legally approve the re-export of equipment purchased by its allies.
Leaders from the G7 countries will release a statement at their annual meeting in Japan calling for a reduction in trade with China, though also pledging to build “constructive and stable relations”. The statement will sit alongside a pledge of support for Ukraine, both in terms of budget and the release of military equipment, as the group prepares to intensify sanctions against Russia following its 2014 invasion of Ukraine. In addition, the G7 leaders will issue a statement calling for a world free of nuclear weapons and urging countries including Russia, North Korea, China and Iran to embrace non-proliferation.
Leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) nations have warned China and North Korea about their nuclear arsenals as they focus on the major northeast Asian crises ahead of the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit later on Saturday. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that President Joe Biden and Zelensky would have face-to-face talks at the summit, a day after Biden supported training Ukrainian pilots on US F-16 fighter jets. The move follows earlier decisions by the US to send rocket launcher systems and Abrams tanks to Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression but discouraged attacks by Ukraine into Russian territory. The focus on Asia comes as Japanese military officials confirmed Zelensky’s decision to attend the G7 in person to participate in talks to influence Ukraine’s defence against Russia. Zelensky called for the supply of Western fighter jets to bolster his country’s defences against Russia’s invasion; the jets could become useful in the long-term security of the country.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is making the 9,000 km journey to Hiroshima to attend the G7, while also seeking support from leaders who have taken a neutral stance over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He hopes to reach out to India's PM, Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, two countries that have continued to trade with Russia despite sanctions imposed by the EU and G-7. Zelenskiy is keen to help Ukraine become influential in nations that the country has rarely connected with on a diplomatic level, described as "a significant diplomatic opportunity".
Members of the G7 will release a unified statement on a shared approach to China, which will emphasise "de-risk, not decouple" from the country, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Sullivan said the statement would include measures to protect sensitive technology, and that the US was committed to economic engagement with China. The statement, which will be issued following the G7 meeting in Japan, will reportedly aim to foster co-operation, and call for the development of more resilient supply chains, as well as calling for "stable and constructive" ties with China.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to join leaders of Group of Seven nations for a session on Ukraine, according to an announcement from Japan. Zelenskyy is expected to arrive in Hiroshima on Saturday before joining G7 leaders for the session on Sunday. The Japanese Foreign Ministry said Zelenskyy had expressed a “strong wish” to participate in person, leading to a change of plans from an online-only session on Friday. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is also set to hold talks with Zelenskyy during his visit to Hiroshima.
US President Joe Biden has apologised to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia for his cancelled trip to the country and said that negotiations to resolve the US debt crisis were “in their closing stages” ahead of the rescheduled Quad summit on Saturday night. Biden said he was confident the US will avoid a default if the deadline of 1 June is met. At the summit in Hiroshima, Biden is expected to discuss threats to regional and global security with leaders from India, Japan and Australia.
The decision by Joe Biden to halt his trip to Australia has cost the media a wasted expense of up to $25,000 per person, wiping out costs for hotel bookings, ground transportation, a shared press filing centre, among other costs. Organised by the White House Travel Office, the now-cancelled charter flight cost $1.1m or around $21,000 per person for the 55 travel journalists who had reserved seats. Journalists will be immediately off the hook for a deposit of around $11,500 each and will be forced to scuttle for last-minute, alternative return travel plans from Hiroshima to Washington, losing some or all of the cost of their return flights from Sydney to Washington. Some correspondents fear the mounting expenses from such overseas trips will force their bosses to pull back coverage of the president on overseas trips, thus damaging chances of any future charter flights.
US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have called for a nuclear weapons-free world following their visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum earlier this week. The G7 leaders also visited with Keiko Ogura, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb attack, and saw exhibits including burnt and tattered clothing, charred lunch boxes and other items. Japan’s top security ally is the US, and this may be why few other details of the trip have been disclosed, and why some consider it controversial. Over 200,000 people – mostly civilians – are believed to have died as a result of the bombs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to arrive in Japan with a request for more military assistance, amid fears of Russia threatening the use of nuclear weapons against Ukraine and NATO states supporting Kyiv. The visit to Hiroshima is seen as highly symbolic, being one of only two cities in the world to have suffered an atomic attack.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has vowed to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, in the face of rising tension with China. She confirmed Taiwan was discussing $500m worth of US weapons aid and said she was committed to preserving the nation's leading-edge chip technologies and research. Leaders of the G7 nations, meeting in Japan, reaffirmed their commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue. Ahead of the country's January 2024 presidential election, Taipei is preparing for further aggression from Beijing, with cross-strait relations guaranteed a place on the campaign agenda.
Leaders of the G7 have shown support for Ukraine, condemning Russia’s “brutal” war on the country. The group’s leaders also called on Russia to cease its aggression against Ukraine and adhere to the rules of the international community. The statement also offered Ukraine “unwavering support” in absence of lasting peace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Japan for the summit and is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazil’s ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Neither figure has supported Ukraine in the past, but they will participate in the summit.
‘Listen to us’: LGBTQ activists seek help, prudence in raising human rights abroad
The Toronto Star
23-05-20 10:00
LGBTQ activists have urged for Canada to increase its efforts in the fight against organised movements to clamp down on sexual and gender minorities in African countries, whilst also remaining cautious about when to raise issues in public as foreign leaders commenting can lead to the narrative that the West is trying to impose LGBTQ issues on Africa. The country in question, Ghana, has outlawed homosexual acts since British rule; and following a political debate in August 2021, a bill that would ban gender-affirming care and jail people for up to a decade for purportedly promoting LGBTQ activities is being discussed. Activists are calling for greater coordination and funding to respond to the anti-LGBTQ movements being funded from overseas. Commenting on the situation, Ghanaian Alex Kofi Donkor, the founder of LGBT+ Rights Ghana, pleaded for Canada to take direction from the local LGBTQ representatives in African nations such as Ghana, who are on the frontline regarding these issues as they can offer the best solutions to instigate change.
Leaders at the G7 summit in Japan have held talks focusing on the deepening dominance of China and political tensions on the Korean peninsula. The likely impact on the Japanese economy of the UK's Brexit decision is also a significant concern. Top of the agenda was the situation in the Ukraine and issues related to economic security and supply chains. India's attendance, as chair of the G20, has highlighted the importance of the developing world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made several contributions to the talks, arguing for inclusive food systems to be created across the world. At a separate meeting, involving the leaders of Japan and Brazil, mention was made of the need for security council reform. Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima, where he laid a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
Leaders from the G7 countries have agreed to launch an initiative aimed at countering "economic coercion" and vowed to ensure any such efforts will fail and face consequences. While the statement did not name China, Western officials have said that is understood to be its target. The new Coordination Platform on Economic Coercion will use an early warning system and rapid information-sharing tools. The G7 leaders also vowed to support the supply chain of middle and low-income countries so they will be more resilient and less vulnerable.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a surprise visit to Hiroshima to participate in the Group of Seven (G7) economic summit after he was invited by President Joe Biden. The meeting was said to be focused on mobilising allies against the growing economic power of China, but Zelensky's appearance has overshadowed discussions around Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The G7 leaders' joint statement called on China to press Russia to stop military aggression, specifically citing the need for a comprehensive peace deal based on Ukrainian territorial integrity and UN Charter principles. According to reports, President Biden is to meet Zelensky and to provide flight training to the Ukrainian military, despite earlier dismissing Ukraine's request for F-16 fighter jets. The US President had initially planned for a longer and more ambitious trip, but cancelled stops in Papua New Guinea and Australia to focus on talks with congressional leaders over debt limitation and avoiding default.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was welcomed to Hiroshima for a visit to the G7 summit by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said that the trip demonstrates how, despite Russian aggression, freedom and sovereignty will never succumb. Additionally, Joe Biden has allowed allies to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and Britain is due to begin training Ukrainian pilots to boost their combat air capabilities within the next two months. Russia has warned the West that if it supplies the jets, it will be taking "colossal risks".
China has shown its opposition to the G7 joint statement made at Hiroshima, criticizing Japan for interfering in its internal affairs including Taiwan. The G7 had disregarded China’s concerns and attacked it, according to a statement already released. The Chinese foreign ministry announced that China had registered its strong dissatisfaction, and had made a complaint to summit organizer Japan.
White House and Republican negotiators failed to make progress in raising the federal debt ceiling after a second meeting broke up late on Friday. US Treasury has warned that the federal government could be unable to pay all its debts from 1 June, potentially triggering a default which could cause financial chaos and spike interest rates. Republicans want sharp spending cuts in exchange for increasing the federal government's borrowing limit, while Democrats want to keep spending steady at this year's levels, with a wide swathe of government spending being cut by at least 8% next year.
