Zelensky to Visit Japan on 21st for G7 Meeting... New Sanctions Against Russia Expected

Expected to Attend Virtually but Visits Japan in Person
Over 300 US Strategic Items Expected to Face Additional Sanctions

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to visit Japan on the final day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit on the 21st to attend the meeting in person, drawing attention to the background of this visit. This move is interpreted as a step to request stronger support from the West, including the United States, ahead of Ukraine's large-scale counteroffensive operation. The US and G7 countries are expected to announce stronger sanctions aimed at cutting off Russia's supply routes for strategic materials.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 19th (local time), President Zelensky will visit Hiroshima, Japan, where the G7 summit is being held, on the final day of the meeting on the 21st to hold face-to-face talks with the G7 leaders. The NYT reported that the exact arrival time of President Zelensky has not been disclosed due to security reasons. Previously, it was expected that President Zelensky would attend the G7 meeting via video conference.

The reason President Zelensky is attending the G7 meeting in person appears to be to secure more military and economic support from Western and allied countries ahead of Ukraine's large-scale counteroffensive operation. The G7 countries are also expected to discuss stronger weapons support such as fighter jets for Ukraine, issues related to ceasefire and peace agreements, and measures to strengthen sanctions against Russia.

President Zelensky is also expected to appeal for support to the leaders of South Korea, India, Australia, Brazil, and Vietnam, who have been invited to this G7 summit. In particular, he plans to discuss joint responses to the Ukraine war with countries like India and Brazil, which have shown pro-Russian tendencies.

Western countries are expected to announce enhanced sanctions against Russia. The US government is anticipated to expand and strengthen sanctions against Russia. According to CNN, the US government plans to add more than 300 sanctions to block Russia's supply routes for strategic materials and to strengthen sanctions against Russia across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The UK government also announced it will impose additional sanctions on Russian diamond imports and plans to ban imports of Russian copper, aluminum, and nickel starting at the end of this year.