Hiroshima, Japan (AP) – The world leaders gathered at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Japan have intensified pressure on Russia over its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took center stage during the final day of the summit, aiming to draw attention to his nation’s 15-month struggle against Russia. Ahead of his arrival, the G7 nations had already announced a series of sanctions and measures designed to punish Moscow and hinder its military capabilities.
While Ukraine remains the primary focus of the summit, leaders from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, and the European Union also addressed global concerns such as climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), poverty, economic instability, and nuclear proliferation.
On Sunday, two U.S. allies, South Korea and Japan, made efforts to improve their bilateral ties, which have often been strained due to historical issues related to Japan’s colonization of the Korean Peninsula between 1910 and 1945. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited a memorial dedicated to Korean victims, many of whom were forced laborers, of the atomic bombing that took place on August 6, 1945.
The United States seeks to foster closer collaboration between these two liberal democracies, as they are vital allies in the face of rising aggression from China, North Korea, and Russia.
The G7 leaders are prioritizing international support as Ukraine prepares for a major offensive to reclaim territories seized by Russia since the conflict began in February last year. Zelenskyy’s participation in the G7 summit closely followed the United States’ decision to allow training for Ukrainian pilots on advanced American-made F-16 fighter jets, paving the way for their eventual transfer to Ukraine.
After his arrival, Zelenskyy tweeted, “Japan. G7. Important meetings with partners and friends of Ukraine. Security and enhanced cooperation for our victory. Peace will become closer today.”
U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that President Joe Biden and President Zelenskyy would engage directly at the summit. Recently, Biden expressed his support for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets, a crucial step towards providing Ukraine with these aircraft.
Zelenskyy, during his meetings with various leaders, emphasized the need to enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and train its pilots.
On the sidelines of the summit, Zelenskyy also met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking their first face-to-face talks since the conflict began. Zelenskyy briefed Modi on Ukraine’s peace plan, which calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the country before any negotiations.
While India, the world’s largest democracy, maintains close ties with the United States and its Western allies, it has refrained from openly condemning Russia’s invasion due to its significant purchases of Russian arms and oil.
Summits like the G7 provide an opportunity for leaders to exert pressure on one another to align their diplomatic efforts or intensify them. Matthew Goodman, an economics expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, explained that Zelenskyy’s presence places pressure on G7 leaders to deliver more or provide explanations for their actions.
In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the G7 summit for attempting to isolate both China and Russia. Lavrov stated that the summit’s decisions aimed to eliminate Russia as a geopolitical competitor and suppress any country seeking an independent position in global affairs.
Nevertheless, the G7 leaders have committed to increasing the pressure on Russia. In their statement, they declared that Russia’s aggressive war poses a threat to the entire international community
and violates fundamental norms and principles. The G7 reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine and their commitment to working towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.
China emerged as another major focus of the G7 discussions. Concerns have grown about Beijing’s nuclear weapons program and the possibility of a forceful seizure of Taiwan, which could escalate into a wider conflict. The G7 leaders expressed their desire to maintain constructive and stable relations with China while urging the country to use its influence to end the war in Ukraine and support a peaceful resolution.
Responding to the G7’s stance, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Xun Hou, called on G7 members to refrain from meddling in other countries’ internal affairs and urged them to focus on their own domestic issues instead of forming exclusive blocs.
The G7 also addressed the escalating missile tests by North Korea, emphasizing the need for the complete abandonment of nuclear ambitions by the regime. They called on North Korea to cease any further nuclear tests or launches involving ballistic missile technology.
The Biden administration’s decision to approve F-16 fighter jet training for Ukraine signals a shift towards providing advanced and lethal weaponry to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. This decision follows previous commitments to supply rocket launcher systems and Abrams tanks to Ukraine. The United States maintains that these weapons are meant to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities and discourage incursions into Russian territory.
The G7 leaders have introduced a fresh wave of sanctions targeting Russia, along with plans to strengthen existing financial penalties, in an effort to impede President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts. As a result, Russia now faces the highest number of sanctions among all nations. However, doubts remain about the effectiveness of these measures.
Prime Minister Kishida, who represents Hiroshima in the Japanese parliament, emphasized the importance of nuclear disarmament during the summit. The G7 leaders discussed ways to bolster the global economy and tackle the rising prices affecting families and governments worldwide, particularly in developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Furthermore, the G7 reiterated their commitment to the global infrastructure development initiative, aiming to mobilize up to $600 billion in financing. This initiative serves as an alternative to China’s investment programs, offering countries more choices in infrastructure development.
The G7 summit, with its focus on Ukraine, Russia, China, and other pressing global issues, showcases leaders’ efforts to apply diplomatic pressure, seek alignment, and address critical concerns on the international stage.