The G7 summit in the city of Hiroshima in Japan may feature debates on the Ukraine conflict, China’s economic power and the domination of Taiwan. Issues of global energy and economic security are also expected to be discussed. The presence of India, a country that is currently chairing G-20, is likely to bring a focus to global developing nations and the concerns of the so-called Global South. Significant Asia-Pacific nations including India, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia are participating alongside the seven member states of the G7 and the European Union. Gambia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Senegal and Vietnam have been invited to send representatives to a meeting on tropical diseases.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will be attending the Group of Seven (G7) leaders summit in Hiroshima, Japan, where he is expected to hold talks with the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida. Zelenskyy was previously expected to participate via videoconference but will now attend in person.
The African Union wants to establish "mutually beneficial relationships" with its trade partners, rather than just being seen as a source of raw materials, its Trade Commissioner said. Speaking ahead of the G7 summit, Albert Muchanga said Africa has a growing population that wants opportunities for "decent jobs" and this requires industrial investment. He welcomed recent visits by foreign leaders, including from France, Germany and Japan, to African nations to build trade links, saying the disruptions of the past year had made for closer trade partnerships globally.
The Arab League recently saw Syrian President Bashar al-Assad return to the fore during its summit in Jeddah. President al-Assad was embraced by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Ten years ago, the Saudis funded anti-Assad militias. However, Saudi Arabia and the UAE need Syria as a key ally in their Middle East operations, and they believe that the Assad regime is now a Middle Eastern reality. Despite this, Syrians who blame the Assad regime for destroying their country view the Arab League's decision with dismay. Lebanese military deportations have recently increased by the army, targeting refugees, with around 1,500 Syrians being deported at gunpoint.
G7 leaders in Japan preparing for arrival of Zelenskyy
CBC
23-05-20 04:45
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will attend the G7 summit to discuss the progress in the war against Russia with all of the leaders. Observing countries have also been invited, with the Ukrainian President aiming to make the most progress with non-aligned countries and stress that security is indivisible. Proposals to supply Ukraine with advanced warplanes were discussed, with US President Joe Biden offering to support joint training efforts involving allied F-16s. During the summit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised the issue of foreign interference, including economic issues such as intellectual property theft by countries such as China.
As Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu challenges President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming presidential elections, the outcome will have global repercussions. Erdogan, who has held power for 20 years, has alienated some allies with his authoritarian policies and his increasingly close relations with Russia. Kilicdaroglu has pledged to restore democracy and improve human rights, but some are unsure if he can match Erdogan's skills on the international stage. Turkey has cemented its position as a valuable diplomatic broker since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but its role in Nato and its stalled candidacy for European Union membership continue to complicate its relationship with the West. Both candidates have promised to return as many Syrian refugees as possible if they win the election, but this raises further concerns about the welfare or accommodation of displaced Syrians if Turkey puts a stop to the support offered to refugees.
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.
US President Joe Biden began his third day in Japan at the G7 summit with discussions aimed at rallying regional cooperation against China. On the same day, the president was also scheduled to hold a series of meetings challenging China’s expansion across the Indo-Pacific, along with members of the US, Australia, Japan and India Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. During the summit, Biden was keeping up with what is being discussed regarding the US federal debt limit. There has been tension as domestic dramas continue to hold back an image of global leadership that the US government is working hard to convey, according to reports.
US President Joe Biden plans to discuss the situation in Ukraine with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Group of Seven (G7) summit this weekend. Biden plans to focus on the "sacrosanct" issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the discussions. Brazil and India have previously played a bridge-building role in relations with Russia and China, however, Lula angered the West last month by asking the US and European allies to stop supplying arms to Ukraine. The Brazilian leader has since toned down his comments. Biden also aims to discuss supply chain resilience, infrastructure investments and dealing with large debt burdens with the G7 summit attendees.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has gone to meeting leaders of the G7 countries in Japan where they have tightened sanctions on Russia and pledged to increase the pressure. International support is a priority for Ukraine, as it prepares to counterattack against Russia and take back seized territory. Mr Zelensky has arrived in Japan on a French government jet and will meet US President Joe Biden who is expected to announce a new $375m military aid package for Ukraine, including warplanes and more artillery shells, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons.
The National Archives has uncovered 16 records showing that former President Trump and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was president and knew he was breaking rules by taking classified documents to Mar-a-Lago. The findings were revealed in a letter sent to Trump by archivist Debra Steidel Wall, who wrote: “The 16 records in question all reflect communications involving close presidential advisers, some of them directed to you personally, concerning whether, why, and how you should declassify certain classified records.” The documents will be turned over to Special Counsel Jack Smith as part of the criminal investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents.
Meanwhile, the former Attorney General under the Trump administration and Bush administration, Bill Barr, hinted that the situation could “expose” former President Trump if he “played games” after the government requested the classified documents. “The problem is what did he do after the government asked for them back and subpoenaed them? And if there’s any games being played there, he’s going to be very exposed,” Barr said.
In a poll of 1,571 registered voters, conducted by Republican polling firm WPA Research, President Joe Biden would be vaulted to a massive lead over Trump if the former president faces further criminal charges arising from the federal and state criminal investigations into his conduct. The poll found that voters currently prefer Biden over Trump by a margin of 47% to 40%, including a 14-point lead for the sitting president amongst registered independents. Even if Trump were to receive all of the indicted votes, the president would still hold a 4-point lead.
Cross-Strait security and reinforcing Taiwan’s position in the global supply chain are key priorities for Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in her final year, as she lays the path for her deputy's ascendancy. Tsai reaffirmed her commitment to dialogue with China and promoting orderly exchanges, warning that "war is not an option". Further challenges include Taiwan's ongoing recession and its position as part of the deteriorating relations between the US and China. Both Vice President Lai Ching-te, of the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party, and New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih of the opposition Kuomintang are in the running for the January elections.
The US will allow Ukraine to buy F-16s after the White House overruled concerns from military officials over the risk of escalating the conflict with Russia. President Joe Biden said the jets would help Ukraine deter Russian aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media that the decision would bring peace closer, and Zelensky had already arrived at the G7 summit in Japan to hold important meetings with his allies. Military experts said the aircraft would be a significant upgrade from Ukraine’s ageing Soviet-era fleet, offering greater ability to strike targets in the air or on the ground.
In Turkey's presidential election, Recep Tayyip Erdogan failed to secure an outright win, meaning a run-off will take place on 28 May. While the opposition was more united than ever, the election comes against a backdrop of criticisms over Erdogan's handling of the economy. His reduction of interest rates during a time of high inflation has drawn rebukes, and a rethink of policies could result if the opposition wins. The global labour market is also facing upheaval, prompting calls for greater upskilling.
Robert F Kennedy Jr has earned a significant amount of support since he launched his presidential campaign, according to polls. The 69-year-old vaccine opponent and environmentalist is now supported by approximately 20% of Democrats. Additionally, almost half of Democratic voters do not want to see a re-run of President Biden, with concerns over his age being a significant factor. While Kennedy has a weak chance of beating out Biden for the Democratic nomination, his strong support is embarrassing for the Biden campaign and could highlight the president’s electoral vulnerabilities.
John Podesta, adviser to President Joe Biden and ex-adviser to President Barack Obama, is tasked with unravelling an obstacle to the US's transition to carbon-free electricity – a bureaucratic permitting process for renewable energy projects. Podesta argues that environmentalists will have to accept the need for oil and gas production in the short term, or risk slowing the pace of change. A recent Brookings Institution analysis of federal data found that transmission lines can take up to seven years to be permitted, while natural gas pipelines can take less than half that time. Biden's proposed $1tn infrastructure bill, which has yet to pass through the Senate, includes measures to shorten federal permitting times.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy attended the G7 summit in Hiroshima and held bilateral meetings with world leaders, including France's President Macron, India's Prime Minister Modi, and Britain's Prime Minister Sunak. The leaders expressed their support for Ukraine's humanitarian needs and dialogue and diplomacy to find a way forward in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The G7 leaders are grappling with the challenges posed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and tensions with China. The US has expressed support for joint allied training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Alexander Grushko, has warned Western countries of “colossal risks” associated with providing Ukraine with US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets. His comments follow an announcement by US President Joe Biden granting the transfer of the planes and training for Ukrainian pilots. The UK has welcomed the decision, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leading calls for Ukraine to receive the jets.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's visit to Japan for the Group of Seven (G7) summit a "game changer," as the two leaders held talks on the sidelines of the event. Macron pledged France's support for Ukraine, stating that his country would be with Ukraine "to the very end."
The Group of Seven summit has witnessed the world's most powerful leaders in front of the world's cameras, frequently posing in arrangements with one another in various settings and against sober backdrop of bombed-out Hirsohima. The photo sessions act as one of the few windows into global discussion around which leaders habits are scrutinised and body language can be assessed. At such summits there is also little room for the staging of "silly shirts" pictures, a common feature of the colourful Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits.
