Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with several G-7 leaders in Hiroshima, Japan, on Saturday, including Indian President Narendra Modi, who recently increased purchases of Russian energy.
Zelensky’s surge on the economic summit got here as leaders of the world’s largest economies pressured China to use its influence to end Russia’s 15-month invasion of Ukraine.
“We call on China to put pressure on Russia to stop its military aggression and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine,” the leaders of the world’s strongest democracies wrote in a joint statement.
The communiqué, which stated that the G7 countries seek “constructive and stable relations with China”, appeared on the second day peak that was heavily concentrated on the continued struggle between Ukraine and Russia.
The letter was released shortly after Zelensky landed on a French government plane, briskly descending the plane’s steps, wearing his signature olive green suit.
“Japan. G7. Essential meetings with Ukraine’s partners and friends” – Ukrainian president tweeted moments later. “Security and enhanced cooperation for our victory. Peace will grow to be closer today.”
Zelensky’s meeting with Modi was their first personal conversation for the reason that Russian invasion in February 2022.
As well as to being a reliable recipient of Russian energy, India continues to seek weapons from Moscow.
Zelensky thanked Modi for the humanitarian aid India sent to Ukraine, according to an announcement released after their meeting.
He also presented a proposed peace plan – involving the whole withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and security guarantees from other countries – and asked Modi to support his proposal.
“I don’t think [the war] be a political or economic issue,” Modi told Zelensky news agency reported ANI. “For me, it’s an issue of humanity, an issue of human values.”
Zelensky’s Twitter account included a running roster of G-7 leaders who gave him time on Saturday, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and others. A gathering with President Biden was also expected.
But Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was hesitant to sit down with the Ukrainian leader, reported Bloomberg News — for fear of angering Russia and China, Brazil’s two essential trading partners.
Zelensky scored a major victory on Saturday when White House officials confirmed that the US would allow allied nations to send F-16s to Ukraine and that the US would train Ukrainian pilots to fly the fighter jets.
“We delivered what we promised,” Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, told reporters. “We gave Ukraine what it needs based on close consultations between our troops and theirs. And now we’ve moved on to discussing the advance of the Ukrainian Air Force as a part of our long-term commitment to Ukraine’s self-defense.”
With postal wires.