Ukrainian President Zelenskiy in Hiroshima for the G7 Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy traveled to Japan to attend the G7 summit in Hiroshima in person. He departed on a French government aircraft from Jeddah after participating in the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia on May 19. The journey underscores Zelenskiy’s emphasis on direct engagement with world leaders during a critical moment for Ukraine.
In a message shared on his Telegram channel, Zelenskiy stated that the meetings in Japan would strengthen partnerships, advance Ukraine’s security, and boost cooperation for victory. The message also highlighted the aim of bringing the world closer together in support of Ukraine during the unfolding conflict.
Ukraine’s National Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov described Zelenskiy’s personal presence as essential because the summit was expected to address highly important decisions. Initially, the plan had called for a video address, but the Japanese government confirmed Zelenskiy’s strong wish to attend in person and welcomed that choice.
According to Reuters and Politico, discussions suggested that U.S. President Joe Biden could announce a substantial military aid package for Ukraine during sessions around the summit, with an amount of about 375 million dollars anticipated after a possible meeting with Zelenskiy.
Schedule and bilateral engagements
The Ukrainian leader was set to participate in the portion of the summit focused on the Ukraine conflict, scheduled for the morning of May 21. The Sankei newspaper, citing the Japanese government, noted that Zelenskiy would join an extended meeting with leaders from eight invited countries, among them India and South Korea.
Throughout the summit, Zelenskiy planned a string of bilateral meetings, including one with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Officials indicated that a potential personal meeting with President Biden could occur, as stated by the U.S. national security adviser. Additional discussions included meetings already held with Prime Ministers Rishi Sunak of Britain and Giorgia Meloni of Italy, with coordinating positions described as aligned ahead of the summit’s proceedings.
Bloomberg reported that Zelenskiy had a strong interest in meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with talks possibly taking place on May 20 as part of the broader gathering in Hiroshima.
Brazil’s Lula and the sense of a potential trap
Bloomberg also noted Zelenskiy’s offer to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the summit. Brazilian officials familiar with the matter indicated Zelenskiy formally requested a meeting, though Lula had not yet responded. Some insiders warned that the sudden in-person presence of the Ukrainian leader could be perceived as a trap for non-G7 participants and would require careful handling by all sides. Brazilian discourse during this period included criticisms of Western actions and discussions about Crimea, statements that drew strong responses from the White House and Ukrainian diplomacy, which characterized those positions as inconsistent with the current reality on the ground.
Outcomes and commitments from the Hiroshima gathering
On May 20, the G7 issued a joint final statement amid the summit. The leaders pledged long term support across military, financial, diplomatic, and humanitarian fronts to Ukraine. The communique emphasized ongoing efforts to counter Russia’s aggression and expressed a willingness to maintain constructive ties with China, while urging the Chinese authorities to press Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory without conditions. The statement also reiterated that the international community provided Ukraine with necessary budget support for 2023 and early 2024, and underscored the importance of grain exports from Ukrainian ports amid ongoing tensions caused by the conflict.
The Hiroshima gathering, held May 19 through 21, included participants from the Group of Seven nations—the United States, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan—as well as delegations from Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Cook Islands, the Union of the Comoros, and South Korea. The scope of the discussions centered on sustaining Ukraine’s resilience, shaping a coordinated international response, and exploring avenues for future collaboration in the region and beyond.