Sunak meets Zelenskyy at G7 summit amid hopes that Ukraine will get fighter jets
ishi Sunak has met Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G7 summit in Hiroshima after the Ukrainian president got closer to procuring the F-16 fighter jets he plans to use to fight Russia.
“Nice to see you,” the Prime Minister said, patting him on the shoulder after they exchanged a hug. “You managed.”
He’s on track to gain a boost by donating advanced warplanes after US President Joe Biden allowed Western allies to transfer them to Kiev.
Mr Sunak updated Mr Zelenskyy on “very positive progress” on the delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine when they met in the Japanese city, Downing Street said.
When asked by reporters if it was a good day for Ukraine, Mr Zelenskyi smiled, nodded and said “Thank you”.
Mr Zelenskyi tweeted: “Japan. G7. Important meetings with partners and friends of Ukraine. Security and increased cooperation for our victory. Peace will come closer today.”
G7 leaders vowed to support Ukraine “for as long as necessary,” increasing the cost to Russia and those supporting its war.
They also used their joint statement to express criticism of China, saying they remain “seriously concerned” about the aggression against Taiwan.
In a report on Mr Sunak’s meeting with the Ukrainian leader, No. 10 said: “The Prime Minister updated President Zelenskyy on the very positive progress made at the G7 so far, including new sanctions against Russia and the deployment of warplanes.”
“Leaders looked forward to continuing talks with G7 countries and other partners on supporting Ukraine and addressing Russia’s destabilizing and illegal behavior.”
Moscow warned that the “escalation” entailed “enormous risks” for the countries involved.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the Tass news agency: “We see that Western countries continue to cling to an escalation scenario that poses enormous risks for them.”
“We will definitely take it into account in the planning.
“We have all the means necessary to achieve our goals.”
Mr. Zelenskyj flew to Japan on a surprise visit until the news broke on Friday.
After receiving him at his Checkers retreat on Monday, the prime minister warmly welcomed Mr Zelensky at a summit in Hiroshima where allies are discussing their support for Ukraine.
“It was great to see you this week,” Mr. Sunak told him at the end of the informal meeting.
Joe Biden told his allies at the Hiroshima conference that he would give legal approval to allow the US-made planes to be donated to Kiev.
The US President, who is attending the G7 summit along with fellow members France, Italy, Germany, Japan and Canada and the EU, also announced training for Ukrainian pilots.
The prime minister welcomed the decision and urged his allies to provide the Ukrainian president with the fighter jets he requested.
Mr. Sunak tweeted: “Ukraine, we’re not going anywhere.”
The RAF has no US-made F-16s. Washington must legally authorize their export.
Mr. Zelenskyy is expected to attend meetings with the G7 on Sunday.
He met India’s Narendra Modi on Saturday and may get in touch with Brazilian Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Both have not backed Ukraine like their western allies.
Neither are G7 members, but India is represented at the summit as it holds the current G20 presidency, while Brazil was invited as a guest.
Mr Zelenskyy’s participation in the G7, the group from which Russia was expelled due to its 2014 annexation of Crimea, is further evidence of Western allies’ solidarity.
Japan said it has a “strong desire” to participate in talks that will affect its country’s defense against Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
He will also have a chance to pressure and persuade India and Brazil to back Ukraine.
On Saturday, Mr Sunak met French President Emmanuel Macron for talks at the summit and had a brief “example” meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
They discussed providing military aid and “longer-term security assistance” to Ukraine, as well as tackling small-boat crossings of the English Channel, Downing Street said.
Meanwhile, the G7 announced that it would set up a new team to root out and counter Russia and China’s use of economic constraints to influence national decisions.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/volodymyr-zelensky-ukraine-joe-biden-hiroshima-prime-minister-b1082514.html Sunak meets Zelenskyy at G7 summit amid hopes that Ukraine will get fighter jets
