ACTOR-TURNED-POLITICIAN ZELENSKY De-Planes in Hiroshima Desperately Seeking Military Aid for Endless War / Major Shift "...for as long as it takes to bring a comprehensive, just and lasting peace."
On Saturday afternoon he was seen exiting a French government plane, amid tight security, ahead of a full day of bilateral and group talks with G7 leaders designed to boost western support for Kyiv.
Russia-Ukraine war live: G7 offer Zelenskiy ‘unwavering support for as long as it takes’ as he arrives in Japan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives at Hiroshima airport for the G7 leaders' summit. Photograph: KYODO/Reuters
Zelenskiy arrives in Japan as he bids to boost western support for Kyiv
Justin McCurry
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has landed in Japan, where he is due to discuss greater military assistance from the US and other G7 countries as his forces prepare for a major counteroffensive in the war with Russia.
Zelenskiy arrived in Hiroshima, which is hosting G7 leaders this weekend. On Saturday afternoon he was seen exiting a French government plane, amid tight security, ahead of a full day of bilateral and group talks with G7 leaders designed to boost western support for Kyiv.
Moments after his arrival he tweeted: Japan. G7. Important meetings with partners and friends of Ukraine. Security and enhanced cooperation for our victory. Peace will become closer today.
Zelenskiy arrived in Hiroshima a day after the White House announced it would permit allied countries to supply Ukraine with US-built F-16 fighter planes. Before leaving for Japan, Zelenskiy described the decision as “historic”, adding that he looked forward to “discussing the practical implementation” with G7 countries.
G7 leaders condemn Russia's 'brutal' war on Ukraine, calling for 'lasting peace'
The G7 has condemned Russia’s “brutal” war on its neighbour Ukraine “in the strongest possible terms”, calling it a “serious violation of international law”, in its final communique from this week’s summit.
As part of the statement, the world leaders called for “just and lasting peace”and recommitted their intentiontoprovideUkrainewithmilitary, financialandhumanitariansupport.
Here is the section on the war in Ukraine: We once again condemn in the strongest possible terms the war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine, which constitutes a serious violation of international law, including the UN Charter.
Russia’s brutal war of aggression represents a threat to the whole world in breach of fundamental norms, rules and principles of the international community. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes to bring a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
We issued the G7 leaders’ statement on Ukraine, and with the clear intention and concrete actions set forth in it, we commit to intensifying our diplomatic, financial, humanitarian and military support for Ukraine, to increasing the costs to Russia and those supporting its war efforts, and to continuing to counter the negative impacts of the war on the rest of the world, particularly on the most vulnerable people."
Zelensky says G7 summit meetings will bring peace 'closer'
9:02am: Zelensky says G7 summit meetings will bring peace 'closer'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday said "peace will be closer" as a result of meetings at the G7 summit, after a diplomatic source said he had arrived in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
"Japan. G7.Important meetings with partners and friends of Ukraine. Security and increased cooperation for our victory. Peace will become closer today," Zelensky said on social media.
Japan. G7. Important meetings with partners and friends of Ukraine. Security and enhanced cooperation for our victory. Peace will become closer today.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 20, 2023
5:29am: Zelensky heads to G7 as Ukraine wins access to F-16s
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Hiroshima on Saturday to join G7 talks, after winning long-sought US support for access to advanced fighter jets and training for Kyiv's pilots...Zelensky's surprise appearance – he had previously been expected to appear by video – comes after a stop in Jeddah to address the Arab League.
Biden set to announce new military aid for Ukraine after meeting with Zelenskyy
The package will include more artillery shells, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons in anticipation of months of hard fighting ahead.
President Joe Biden signaled that he would greenlight the third-party transfer of American F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. | Brendan Smialowski/Pool Photo via AP
President Joe Biden is set to announce a new $375 million military aid package for Ukraine after meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart at the G7 summit in Japan this weekend, according to three U.S. and Ukrainian officials familiar with the discussions.
The package will include more artillery shells, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons — all equipment that the U.S. and allies have supplied to Kyiv in the past, but will be much needed in the months of hard fighting expected this spring and summer. . .Zelenskyy, fresh from a tour of European capitals this week which included a surprise visit to Saudi Arabia to drum up support for his country’s war effort, has used the extended trip to put on a very public show of stability and calm as the war grinds on, with its front lines largely stable and his troops preparing for new assaults on entrenched Russian positions.>"
In Japan for the G7 Summit.
For the victory of Ukraine and the return of peace based on law.
For the solidarity we owe to the populations who struggle against poverty.
To set an example and support our partners who are committed to the planet.
Met with @MofaJapan_en Foreign Minister Hayashi at the @G7 in Hiroshima today. I congratulated Japan for hosting a successful G7 Summit. We join all our G7 partners in continuing to promote peace, security, and prosperity.
16 hours ago
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G7 summit: Plane believed to be carrying Ukraine's Volodymyr ...
Sky News
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Ukraine’s Zelenskyy arrives in Hiroshima for G7 summit as world leaders sanction Russia
By FOSTER KLUG, ADAM SCHRECK and ZEKE MILLERan hour ago
HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived Saturday in Japan for diplomatic talks with the leaders of the world’s most powerful democracies as they tighten sanctions meant to punish Moscow over its 15-month invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s decision to visit Hiroshima stems from his “strong wish” to participate in talks with the Group of Seven and other countries that will influence his nation’s defense against Russia, host nation Japan said.
Bolstering international support is a key priority for Ukraine as it prepares for what is seen as a major push intended to take back territory seized by Russia in the war that began in February last year. Zelenskyy’s visit comes just hours after the U.S. agreed to allow training on potent American-made fighter jets, laying the groundwork for their eventual transfer to Ukraine.
“Japan. G7. Important meetings with partners and friends of Ukraine. Security and enhanced cooperation for our victory. Peace will become closer today,” Zelenskyy tweeted upon his arrival on a plane provided by France. . .
An EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity to brief reporters on the deliberations, said Zelenskyy will take part in two separate sessions Sunday. The first session will be with G7 members only and will focus on the war in Ukraine. The second session will include the G7 as well as the other nations invited to take part in the summit, and will focus on “peace and stability.”
U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that President Joe Biden and Zelenskyy would have direct engagement at the summit. On Friday, Biden announced his support for training Ukrainian pilots on U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, a precursor to eventually providing those aircraft to Ukraine’s Air Force.
The G7 vowed to intensify the pressure in its joint statement Saturday.
“Russia’s brutal war of aggression represents a threat to the whole world in breach of fundamental norms, rules and principles of the international community. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes to bring a comprehensive, just and lasting peace,” the group said.
World leaders have faced a balancing act at the G7 in Hiroshima as they look to address a raft of global worries demanding urgent attention, including climate change, AI, poverty and economic instability, nuclear proliferation and, above all, the war in Ukraine.
There is increasing anxiety in Asia that Beijing, which has been steadily building up its nuclear weapons program, could try to seize Taiwan by force, sparking a wider conflict. . .
The latest sanctions aimed at Russia include tighter restrictions on already-sanctioned people and firms involved in the war effort. More than 125 individuals and organizations across 20 countries have been hit with U.S. sanctions.
In addition, new reporting requirements were issued for people and firms that have any interest in Russian Central Bank assets. The purpose is to “fully map holdings of Russia’s sovereign assets that will remain immobilized in G7 jurisdictions until Russia pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine,” the U.S. Treasury Department said.
The G7 nations said that they would work to keep Russia from using the international financial system to prosecute its war, and they urged other nations to stop providing Russia with support and weapons “or face severe costs.”
The leaders began the summit with a visit to a peace park dedicated to the tens of thousands who died in the world’s first wartime atomic bomb detonation. Kishida, who represents Hiroshima in parliament, wants nuclear disarmament to be a major focus of discussions. . .The G7 leaders are also to discuss efforts to strengthen the global economy and address rising prices that are squeezing families and government budgets around the world, particularly in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
A U.S. official said the leaders on Saturday would issue a joint communique outlining new projects in the G7’s global infrastructure development initiative, which is meant to offer countries an alternative to China’s investment dollars. . ."
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How the US helping Ukraine acquire F-16s shows that for military aid, ‘no’ can become ‘yes’
By LOLITA C. BALDOR and TARA COPPyesterday
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has once again buckled under pressure from European allies and Ukraine’s leaders and agreed to provide more sophisticated weapons to the war effort. This time it’s all about F-16 fighter jets. . .Still, with this decision, the Biden administration has made a sharp reversal, after refusing to approve any transfer of the aircraft or conduct training for more than a year due to worries that it could escalate tensions with Russia.
. . .And while officials said the training will begin soon, it isn’t yet clear where it will be, how many pilots will be trained and how long it will take.
The U.S. Air Force has two F-16 air wings in Europe: the 31st Fighter Wing at the Aviano Air Base in Italy and the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. The U.S. also routinely sends F-16 fighters in and out of Europe on a rotational basis in smaller groups.
Wallace is urging increased military spending and suggests Britain could be at war with Russia and China by the end of the decade
"Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has warned that the UK could enter a direct conflict with Russia and China in the next seven years and has called for an increase in military spending to counter the potential threat.
Speaking to the Financial Times on Friday, the official claimed that the world will be “a more dangerous, unstable place” by the end of the decade and that “defense will be more critical in our lives.” He explained that the world is seeing “the end of the abnormal period [of peace] post-cold war” and that “a conflict is coming with a range of adversaries around the world.”
The State Department wants to speed up military shipments by embracing a more flexible approach encompassing entire sales regions
The US State Department is seeking to expedite arms sales amid a new “age of heightened strategic competition” and soaring global tensions, according to a new ten-point plan released on Thursday.
Although the US government authorized weapons sales and training averaging $45.8 billion each year between 2019 and 2022, “the time has come to reassess and adapt security cooperation to meet new and emerging challenges,” the State Department declared, pointing to the ongoing Ukraine conflict and tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
According to a Wall Street Journal report on Thursday, the new program comes as the State Department scrambles to rectify delays in sales to foreign militaries, caused by a “risk-averse and sluggish” system.
These issues have resulted in fears that some of America’s partners could start “shopping for arms from some of America’s adversaries, such as Russia and China,” the WSJ wrote, citing unnamed US officials.As part of its plan, the department seeks in particular to “save time on the policy approval process” by anticipating the demands of Washington’s international partners based on the prior requirements of their regional neighbors. Citing the officials, the WSJ noted that the reform intends to make the system more flexible by moving away from selling American weapons on a case-by-case basis.
Another point of the plan is to change the State Department’s approach to notifying Congress, by “prioritizing consultations on critical potential arms transfers” and sharpening policies in the field of exporting US drones abroad.
Last year, as global tensions soared amid the Ukraine conflict and the ‘Taiwan’ stand-off between Beijing and Washington, US foreign military sales to other governments skyrocketed by 49%, reaching some $205 billion, according to the State Department.
The US also emerged as the main source of weapons for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, having committed some $37 billion in security assistance to Kiev. In recent months, however, US media have reported that Washington was running low on several types of weapons and ammunition as the military industry was struggling to keep up with demand."
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