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".
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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will use his attendance at this year's G7 summit, set to be held in Japan, to appeal to countries such as Brazil and India for greater support while continuing to build on the support of the US and its allies in the struggle against Russia's invasion. Meanwhile, the G7 has also announced measures to counter economic coercion from China, in a bid to further push-back against Beijing's "hostile" actions.
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.
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.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has vowed to maintain a peaceful and stable status quo between Taiwan and China amid increasing military and diplomatic pressure from China. Beijing has threatened to bring Taiwan under its control and has rejected calls to hold talks with Tsai. Leaders of the G7 nations agreed to seek a peaceful resolution to issues concerning Taiwan. Tsai also announced discussions with the US over sending $500m worth of weapons aid to Taiwan to address delays arising due to the pandemic. Taiwan is due to hold a key presidential election in January, with tensions with China set to be a top issue.
Leaders at the G7 summit have warned against North Korea and China’s continued building of their nuclear arsenals. Tensions have risen as China focuses on Taiwan. World leaders warned that China should not "accelerate the build-up of its nuclear arsenal without transparency…(which) poses a concern to global and regional stability". The summit comes as leaders look to address climate change, poverty, economic instability, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met on the sidelines of the event. The US has agreed to train Ukrainian pilots to operate US-made F-16 fighter jets. Previously the US had agreed to supply the Ukrainian military with rocket launcher systems and Abram tanks.
The G7 summit in Hiroshima has seen world leaders focus on NATO's relationship with Russia, increasingly anxious over China's nuclear programme and discuss the future of Ukraine's air force. Leaders gathered at the peace park in Hiroshima, before more serious discussions took place between Western leaders and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The recent clampdown on Russia has seen it become the most sanctioned nation globally, with tightening restrictions; while the latest G7 summit has focused on reducing China's nuclear arsenal and warning North Korea against ballistic missile tests. The G7 also issued joint communiques on climate change, the global economy, AI, poverty and economic instability.
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.
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.
At the recent G7 summit in Japan, world leaders visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to pay their respects to the victims of the atomic bomb dropped by the US on the city on August 6 1945. G7 and European Union leaders used the occasion to push for the worldwide abolition of nuclear weapons. The summit was chaired by Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, who called for international efforts to prevent the proliferation of such weapons of mass destruction.
The Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Hiroshima this week has focused on the Ukraine crisis, as well as the growth of China and the associated rising threat to Taiwan. The discussions have incorporated a range of issues, including energy and economic security and supply chains. The attendance of nations such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia has ensured a focus on developing countries. Earlier this week, speaking at the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that the creation of a system focused on food security, particularly for “marginal farmers” must be given priority, and suggested that there was a need to strengthen global “fertilizer supply chains” while curtailing “the expansionist mindset controlling fertilizer resources.” The summit has also covered artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons and non-proliferation, and climate change. It had been hoped that discussion of global health issues would also feature. The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The summit concludes today.
Ukraine's President Zelensky headed to Japan to speak with leaders representing the world's most powerful democracies, hoping to bolster international support as they prepare for what is a crucial moment in the war with Russia. Zelensky is attending two sessions in which one will be with the G7 members only to address the war in Ukraine, while the other will include, among other nations, G7 members and will discuss "peace and stability". US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that President Biden and Zelensky would have direct engagement at the summit. Furthermore, leaders from G7 have rolled out a new wave of global sanctions on Moscow as well as plans to enhance the effectiveness of existing financial penalties meant to constrain President Vladimir Putin.
The Quad alliance, consisting of the US, India, Japan, and Australia, is to expand its remit to boost infrastructure development and telecommunications networks in the Asia-Pacific area, according to an announcement by the four prime ministers. The group's new focus represents an attempt to neutralise China’s growing influence in the region, especially the $1tn Belt and Road Initiative. The leaders also pledged to place the interests of southeast Asian nations and the Pacific Islands at the centre of their strategies, amidst criticism from Beijing of the grouping as elitist and disconnected from developing countries.
Leaders of the Quad group – Australia, India, Japan and the United States – have criticised China's actions in a thinly veiled swipe at Beijing. While attending a summit in Hiroshima, the leaders referenced Beijing's economic tactics to gain leverage over poorer countries and its military expansion in the Pacific by emphasising "peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.” In a joint statement, they criticised "unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion", and expressed concern over the "militarisation of disputed features" and maritime harassment. They also called attention to the urgent need to support undersea cable networks.
Leaders from the G7 countries will end their festivities in Hiroshima centred on Russia and managing China following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's appearance. The western leaders used the forums to implement new sanctions against Russia while increasing cash flow to the Ukrainian military. The talk will transition to China as the most robust Asian ally of Russia, as the leaders implicitly remind President Xi Jinping that if he bullies them or changes the status quo in self-ruled Taiwan or the disputed South China Sea, China will experience the same resolve as Russia's attempt to redraw Ukraine's borders.
Australian opposition leader Anthony Albanese was left to plan the G7 summit on his own after US President Joe Biden cancelled his scheduled appearance at the meeting. Biden cited negotiations with Congress over the US government debt ceiling as his reason for non-attendance. The late timing of the cancellation has drawn criticism from Albanese, and comedienne Zoe Coombs Marr, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, has used the event to highlight the importance of avoiding flakiness in business as well as in social settings.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated that he plans to improve relations with China, despite trade sanctions and the detention of two Australians. Albanese has not yet confirmed a date for his visit to Beijing, but said that “Australia is in dialogue with China. You need dialogue to get understanding.” Australia's federal opposition urged him to delay his trip until China lifts trade restrictions, including those on wine and barley. Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton recently praised Australia's role in forcing China to “re-evaluate” its position in the Asia Pacific region.
The leaders of Japan and South Korea have laid flowers at a memorial for Korean atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima. This move follows steps by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to resolve the countries' disputes over Japan's 1910-1945 colonial occupation of the Korean Peninsula, in order to work more closely with the US to avoid threats from North Korea. Japan is seen as using the joint visit by Kishida and Yoon to acknowledge historical relations between the countries and highlight the devastating effects of nuclear war.
