Zelensky meets with leaders at G7 summit in Hiroshima.

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with world leaders at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima on May 20, including U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and European Council President Charles Michel. Zelensky said he and Sunak discussed[1] the further implementation of the agreements reached during their negotiations in the U.K. on May 14, as well as the "development of bilateral relations" between the two countries.

With Meloni, Zelensky said[2] he discussed the continuation of dialogue between the two countries regarding defense and political support, especially with respect to improving Ukraine's air defense capabilities. Zelensky's meeting with Modi marked the first time the leaders had met since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Zelensky said[3] they spoke about Ukraine's needs with respect to demining and mobile hospitals, as well as Ukraine's proposed peace formula[4], which he invited India to join.

"I thank India for supporting our country's territorial integrity and sovereignty, in particular, at the platforms of international organizations, and for providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine," Zelensky said[5] in a Tweet. Modi tweeted: "Conveyed our clear support for dialogue and diplomacy to find a way forward. We will continue extending humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine."

President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 20, 2023. (Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram)

According to Zelensky, he and Michel discussed[6] the implementation of the European Commission's recommendations to begin negotiations regarding Ukraine's future EU accession.

He noted that "particular attention was paid to the issue of export restrictions on Ukrainian grain products by a number of European Union countries and the inadmissability of their extension after June 5." In a Tweet later that day, Michel said[7]: "Ukraine is unbreakable. So is our support and friendship.

Slava Ukraini." Zelensky arrived[8] in Hiroshima, Japan, for the G7 summit earlier on May 20. The president made a surprise decision to join the summit following a busy week of diplomatic visits, including to London, Berlin, and, most recently, to Jeddah.

The G7 nations, which include the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada, are among the leading backers of Ukraine against Russia's ongoing aggression. The war is high of the summit's agenda. Partners have agreed to tighten sanctions[9] against Moscow, expand financial aid to Ukraine, and cooperate to provide Kyiv with the much-desired F-16 fighter jets[10].

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky travels to Saudi Arabia, urges Arab leaders to support peace plan

Key developments on May 19: * Zelensky arrives in Saudi Arabia, meets with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman * Zelensky expected at Hiroshima G7 Summit after Saudi Arabia * Ukraine's military confirms gaining initiative near Bakhmut, makes further advances * NBC: US, allies plan to supply Ukrain...

[11] Teah Pelechaty

Opinion editor

Teah Pelechaty is the opinion editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is also a co-editor of Belarus Weekly, the Kyiv Independent's weekly update on current affairs in Belarus. She received a master's degree in Global Affairs with a specialization in Global Security and Digital Governance at the University of Toronto and Sciences Po.

She was previously a junior policy analyst in national security at the Government of Canada and a research associate with the European Values Center for Security Policy and the Atlantic Council.

References

  1. ^ discussed (t.me)
  2. ^ said (t.me)
  3. ^ said (t.me)
  4. ^ proposed peace formula (kyivindependent.com)
  5. ^ said (twitter.com)
  6. ^ discussed (t.me)
  7. ^ said (twitter.com)
  8. ^ arrived (kyivindependent.com)
  9. ^ tighten sanctions (kyivindependent.com)
  10. ^ F-16 fighter jets (kyivindependent.com)
  11. ^ Ukraine war latest: Zelensky travels to Saudi Arabia, urges Arab leaders to support peace planKey developments on May 19: * Zelensky arrives in Saudi Arabia, meets with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman * Zelensky expected at Hiroshima G7 Summit after Saudi Arabia * Ukraine's military confirms gaining initiative near Bakhmut, makes further advances * NBC: US, allies plan to supply Ukrain... (kyivindependent.com)

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