Hiroshima – Selenskyj at the G7 Summit

Posted On: May 20, 2023

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Hiroshima Airport (AP/dpa/Hiro Komae)

Zelenskyj is talking to heads of state and government of leading industrial democracies about further support for his country against Russia’s war of aggression. It’s about security and increased cooperation for victory against Russia. Zelenskyj said earlier that peace would be closer. Bilateral meetings are also planned, including with representatives from developing countries such as India, Indonesia and Brazil, who were also guests in Hiroshima.

However, the focus is likely to be a meeting with US President Biden. Yesterday, Biden signaled his support in principle to train Ukrainian pilots on American-made F-16 fighter jets.

“Constructive” Relations with China

In Hiroshima, the seven largest industrial democracies agreed to reduce their economic dependence on China. A summit statement said economic resilience requires risk reduction. At the same time, heads of state and government called on the political leadership in Beijing to comply with international rules and to allow conditions of fair competition in the country.

But turning away from China was not premeditated. The policies of the G7 are not aimed at harming the People’s Republic or thwarting its economic progress. On the contrary, someone strives for a constructive and stable relationship.

The G7 urged Beijing to adopt a peaceful policy

However, the seven leaders expressed concern about the situation in the East and South China Seas, where Beijing is expanding its military presence. China’s military activities in the region will be rejected. The G7 calls for a peaceful solution to the Taiwan issue. This has remained unresolved since the communists took power in mainland China in 1949.

They also urged China to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine.

G20 representatives are part of the party

Representatives from G20 countries were also guests at the summit, including Indian Prime Minister Modi. As the world’s largest democracy, India has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is a major buyer of Russian oil and weapons. Country will be next G20 Summit in September, in which Russia is also likely to take part.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and Brazilian President announced on the sidelines of a meeting that they would like to undertake a new effort to reform the UN Security Council together with other countries. It has long been criticized that only representatives of the victorious forces of the Second World War had permanent seats there. Germany and India also demanded permanent seats.