Zelensky, President of Ukraine, Arrives in Japan... Attending G7 Meeting Tomorrow

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Hiroshima, Japan on the 20th to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit.

At around 3:30 p.m. that day, the French government’s official plane carrying President Zelensky landed at Hiroshima Airport. According to foreign media, President Zelensky attended the Arab League (AL) summit held in Saudi Arabia and then departed from Jeddah Airport in western Saudi Arabia to Japan that morning.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The Japanese government stated, "President Zelensky has expressed a strong desire to participate in this summit in person," and added, "After carefully reviewing the entire agenda and schedule of the summit, it was decided that on the final day, the 21st, the G7 leaders and President Zelensky will hold a session on Ukraine."

They further explained, "President Zelensky is also scheduled to participate in a session on peace and stability with the G7 and invited leaders."

This is President Zelensky’s first visit to Asia since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. Although he initially planned to participate in the G7 summit online, it appears he made a sudden decision to visit Japan to appeal for support for Ukraine ahead of a major counteroffensive to reclaim territories occupied by Russia.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Prior to his visit to Japan, he conducted a diplomatic tour of major Western European countries including Italy, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. In addition to the G7 summit schedule, President Zelensky is expected to hold bilateral meetings with various leaders such as U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

There is a possibility of further discussions between the U.S. and Ukraine regarding support for F-16 fighter jets. Ukraine had previously requested F-16 fighter jet support from the U.S., and President Biden is reported to have approved a training plan for Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 fighter jets.

Additionally, President Zelensky is considering visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which conveys the horrors of the atomic bombings, and laying flowers at the memorial monument.