Zelensky to attend G7 summit in person

Zelensky to attend G7 summit in person as leaders unveil another round of sanctions on Russia in attempt to cripple Putin’s war machine and end invasion

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now expected to attend the G7 summit in Hiroshima in person
  • Zelensky’s participation has been rumored for days and comes as G7 leaders plan to announce a new round of tough economic sanctions on Russia 
  • The Financial Times first confirmed Zelensky would make the trip to Japan 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now expected to attend the G7 summit in Hiroshima in person, where he is likely to make asks for additional military aid. 

Zelensky’s participation has been rumored for days and comes as G7 leaders plan to announce a new round of tough economic sanctions on Russia in an attempt to cripple Vladimir Putin to the point where he could end the war in Ukraine.

The Financial Times first confirmed Zelensky would make the trip to Japan, reporting that he would be engaged in meetings on Sunday.

On a call with reporters Thursday night, the White House hinted the Ukrainian leader could come. 

A senior administration official simply said Zelensky ‘has always participated’ in prior G7 engagements on Ukraine, adding that Zelensky ‘in one, way, shape or form’ would engage with leaders at this one. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now expected to attend the G7 summit in Hiroshima in person, where he is expected to make asks for additional military aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now expected to attend the G7 summit in Hiroshima in person, where he is expected to make asks for additional military aid

The sanctions to be fleshed out Friday will target Russia and third-world nations receiving exports that help Putin’s war effort. The United States will also add around 300 new sanctions against individuals and entities. 

‘We’re upping the economic pressure on Russia. We will continue to expand export controls to make it even harder for Russia to sustain its war machine among other things,’ a senior administration official said.

The sanctions will attempt to tighten the screws on Moscow’s war effort, targeting Russia’s mighty energy sector and other exports that aid Russian military. 

‘This is going to be a significant effort that will that will extensively restrict Russian access to goods that matter for its battlefield capabilities,’ the official added.

The action comes as Western allies hunt for new ways to tighten already restrictive sanctions on Russia, which include visa restrictions and an oil price cap.

The leaders may also look at tightening language in already existing sanctions that could make it harder for Moscow to find gaps in the sanctions regime. 

The G7 consists of the United States, Japan, Italy, France, Germany, Canada and the U.K.

G7 leaders will announce tough new sanctions on Russia - above Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (right)

G7 leaders will announce tough new sanctions on Russia – above Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (right) 

New sanctions would aim to cripple Russian President Vladimir Putin's war machine

New sanctions would aim to cripple Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war machine

US President Joe Biden (L) is greeted by Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (R) on Thursday as leaders arrive in Hiroshima for the G7

US President Joe Biden (L) is greeted by Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (R) on Thursday as leaders arrive in Hiroshima for the G7

President Joe Biden arrived in Hiroshima on Thursday evening. Russia’s 15-month invasion of Ukraine will top the leaders’ agenda, as are ways to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

‘We stand up for the shared values including supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereign territory and holding Russia accountable for its brutal aggression,’ Biden said as he met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Thursday evening, in his first official bilateral of the summit.

As world leaders made their way to Hiroshima on Thursday to kick off Friday’s summit, Russia unleashed another attack, firing 30 cruise missiles against different parts of Ukraine.

G7 leaders have reportedly been working on a document to reiterate support for Ukraine, which would be separate from the group’s traditional joint statement at the end of its gathering.

Ukraine, backed by Western weapons and cash, is expected to launch major counter-offensive operations in the coming weeks to try to recapture tracts of its east and south from Russian forces.

Zelensky was in Europe this week to meet with leaders from France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany.

He traveled to the United States to meet with Biden and address Congress in December.  

Fighting in Ukraine continues and has been ongoing for more than 15 months

Fighting in Ukraine continues and has been ongoing for more than 15 months

At the last gathering of G7 leaders – in Germany of June 2022 – the gang of seven imposed a price cap on Russian oil and petroleum products. 

Several G7 nations have individual sanctions on purchases of Russian oil. Crude is its top export and finances much of Putin’s war effort. 

However, countries like India and Turkey have helped make up for the lack of European oil purchases by upping their own.

source: dailymail.co.uk