The Ukrainian president is using the G7 summit to promote his country's interests. This will be followed by a speech on Sunday. All information in the news ticker.
- China and Russia criticize meeting in Hiroshima: Beijing speaks of manipulation by the G7 countries
- Training on fighter jets: US approves training on F-16s for Ukraine
- Sanctions against Russia: US announces new package
- Until May 21, Olaf Scholz, Joe Biden and other heads of government will meet in Hiroshima. This news ticker for the G7 summit in Japan is constantly updated.
Update from May 21, 19:20 p.m.: Russia has sharply criticized the decisions of the G7 summit. The main result is a "collection of statements filled with passages of anti-Russian and anti-Chinese character," Sergei Lavrov's Foreign Ministry said. The decisions were aimed at deepening the dividing lines in international politics.
Moscow, which launched the war of aggression against Ukraine 15 months ago, has repeatedly accused the G7 of seeking a "comprehensive confrontation" with Russia. Western sanctions are just as much a part of a "hybrid war" as arms deliveries to Ukraine. The Russian government also blamed the G7 for the recent surge in food and energy prices.
Update from May 21, 13:20 p.m.: From the point of view of the host Japan, the G7 countries at their summit in Hiroshima demonstrated "unshakable unity" in supporting Ukraine in the defensive fight against Russia. The personal presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the meeting of heads of state and government helped to send "a strong message" to the world, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said after the end of the three-day consultations. "I think this was very significant," Kishida said. Unilateral attempts to change the status quo - "no matter where in the world" - by force will not be accepted by the G7.
G7 summit: Scholz expects fighter jet delivery to Ukraine soon
Update from May 21, 7:05 a.m.: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not expect modern fighter jets to be delivered to Ukraine in the near future. "What is associated with the training of pilots is a long-term project," he said on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. The U.S. has not yet made a final decision "on what will be at the end of the training." The Federal Chancellor stressed that the project was first and foremost a message to those who attacked Ukraine: Russia should not rely on support for Ukraine diminishing as the war drags on. "The message remains: Russia must withdraw troops."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) meets Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Japan. © Michael Kappeler/dpa
Update from May 20, 19:30 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke via Twitter from the G7 summit in Hiroshima on Saturday evening. On Saturday, the 44-year-old coordinated the positions with the G7 partners and prepared further joint steps. Among other things, it was about new weapons, air defense and the delivery of fighter jets, Zelensky continued.
The first day in Hiroshima was "very powerful," Zelensky said. "The second day will be even more powerful." On Saturday, Zelensky met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other G7 leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. On Sunday, the Ukrainian president is scheduled to give a speech to the participants.
G7 summit: China and Russia criticise meeting in Hiroshima
Update from May 20, 17:05 p.m.: The G7 summit is seen as a geopolitical signal against Russia, but China also plays a role. Now Beijing expressed its "strong dissatisfaction" with a joint statement by the G7 countries. A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that "the G7 continues to manipulate, discredit and attack China-related affairs." The People's Republic had expressed its "resolute resistance" in several protest notes, including to the summit host Japan.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also expressed dissatisfaction with the summit results, saying that the G7 decisions to end the Ukraine conflict were aimed at "restraining" Russia. "Look at the decisions discussed and taken at today's G7 summit in Hiroshima, which are designed to rein in both Russia and China," he said at a televised meeting.
Update from May 20, 14:50 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held bilateral meetings with several heads of state and government, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. This is announced by the governments of the participating countries.
According to a media report, Zelensky wants to give a speech in Hiroshima, Japan, on Sunday – the last day of the G7 summit. This was reported by the Japanese news agency Kyodo on Saturday, citing informed circles. No more public appearances are planned on Saturday, at the moment it is just before 22 p.m. in Japan.
Update from May 20, 12:10 p.m.: The G7 leaders have pledged further aid to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "We are taking concrete measures to support Ukraine for as long as necessary in the face of the ongoing illegal Russian war of aggression," according to a G7 statement adopted on Saturday. Russia's brutal war poses "a threat to the whole world" and violates "fundamental norms, rules and principles of the international community," the G7 countries wrote. It pledged to "increase diplomatic, financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine" and increase costs for Russia and its supporters.
Update from May 20, 09:15 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at the G7 summit in Japan. Zelenskyy landed in Hiroshima on Saturday on a French government plane, as seen in images from Japan's state-run NHK television channel. "Important meeting with partners and friends of Ukraine," Zelensky wrote on Twitter. "Security and enhanced cooperation for our victory. Peace will come closer today."
Update from May 20, 06:30 a.m.: After the US support for an international fighter jet coalition for Ukraine, its President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected at the G7 summit in Japan on Saturday. According to the White House, there will be a meeting with US President Joe Biden. Zelenskyy's surprise attendance at the summit comes after the U.S. first showed openness to a delivery of Western F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine on Friday. Zelensky reacted happily. He welcomed "the historic decision" and said he hoped for "practical implementation".
Zelensky wants to talk to Biden about fighter jet coalition at G7 summit
Update from May 19, 22:38 p.m.: Now the head of the Ukrainian president's office, Andriy Yermak, also confirmed Zelensky's participation in the G7 summit on Ukrainian television. Zelensky wants to meet in Hiroshima with US President Joe Biden, among others. First and foremost, the Ukrainian president wants to talk to his US colleague about the participation of the United States in the so-called fighter jet coalition, which he has announced.
"Today I can officially talk about the formation of the aircraft coalition, and this means that very soon Ukraine will have everything to protect its skies, cities and citizens," says Yermak. Earlier, the Secretary of the National Security Council, Oleksiy Danilov, announced Zelensky's participation inthe G7 summit.
G7 Summit: Brazil and India pose a challenge
Update from May 19, 19:53 p.m.: "The G-7 is trying to drive up the price Putin has to pay for the war with further sanctions against Russia," says WELT TV editor-in-chief Jan Philipp Burgard after the first day of the summit. Countries such as Brazil and India are causing problems. The Global South is less critical of Russia, he said, as India continues to import Russian oil and Brazil does not see Russia alone to blame for the Ukraine war. Convincing India and Brazil of Western values will be a "difficult mission," Burgard said.
Biden agrees to F-7 fighter jet training for Ukrainians at G16 summit
Update from May 19, 16:49 p.m.: US President Joe Biden has agreed to plans to train Ukrainian pilots on American-made F-16 fighter jets. This was announced by two insiders of the US government to the AP news agency. The decision was made during talks between the heads of state and government of the seven leading industrialised countries in Hiroshima, Japan, on Friday (19 May).
The training should take place in Europe and last several months. "As the training takes place in the coming months, our coalition will decide when we actually provide jets, how many we provide and who will provide them," a senior administration official tells CNN, adding, "The discussions about improving the Ukrainian Air Force reflect our long-term commitment to Ukraine's self-defense."
G7 summit: Withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine demanded
Update from May 19, 12:00 p.m.: The G7 of leading democratic economic powers has once again urged Russia to completely withdraw its troops from Ukraine. "Russia started this war and can end this war," said a statement adopted by leaders at the Hiroshima summit in Japan on Friday. "We underline that there can be no just peace without the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment, and this must be taken into account in any call for peace."
G7 summit: Von der Leyen calls for expansion of military aid to Ukraine
Update from May 19, 11:15 a.m.: At the G7 summit in Japan, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a further expansion of military support for Ukraine. "We must now provide Ukraine with the tools it needs to successfully defend itself and regain full sovereignty and territorial integrity," she said on Friday at the summit of leading democratic industrialized nations.
It is important to give Ukraine the necessary military and financial support for as long as necessary. Peace negotiations that put the aggressor and the victim on an equal footing would have to be rejected.
G7 summit in Hiroshima: Ukraine confirms Zelensky's visit
Update from May 19, 09:45 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will personally attend the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, according to information from Kyiv. "Very important things are decided there, so the physical presence of our president is absolutely important to represent our interests," National Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said on Ukrainian television on Friday (19 May). Thus, advance reports from various media were confirmed.
G7 summit in Japan: EU tightens sanctions against Putin's Russia
Update from May 19, 08:45 a.m.: Charles Michel has confirmed plans for sanctions against Russia's diamond industry. "We will restrict trade in Russian diamonds," the EU Council president said in a press conference on the sidelines of the G7 summit. "Russian diamonds are not forever," he said, alluding to the James Bond film "Diamonds Are Forever." According to information from G7 circles, the aim is to reduce the income from the sale of rough diamonds through coordinated measures. In the EU, trade in Russian diamonds has already declined by about 80 percent through voluntary commitments, it said.
Zelensky probably at the G7 summit: Ukrainian president is expected in person in Japan
Update from May 19, 07:40 a.m.: According to media reports, Volodymyr Zelensky wants to make a surprise trip to the G7 summit in Japan. Several U.S. media outlets, including the New York Times, cited unspecified official sources, reported that the Ukrainian president was expected in person at the deliberations of the seven leading democratic industrialized nations in Hiroshima this weekend. Initially, it was said that Zelensky would be connected via video.
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, here via video link at the Council of Europe summit on 16 May. He is now making a surprising personal trip to Japan for the G7 summit. © Kay Nietfeld/dpa
G7 summit in Hiroshima commemorates the victims of the atomic bombing
Update from May 19, 07:10 a.m.: The G7 heads of state and government commemorated the victims of the US atomic bombing of the city in 1945 at the Hiroshima Memorial. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his colleagues from the Group of Leading Democratic Economic Powers laid wreaths on a concrete arch in the city's Peace Park, which were presented to them by Japanese schoolchildren. Before the wreath-laying ceremony, the G7 heads of state and government visited the Peace Museum. In view of the increasing nuclear threat worldwide, they got to see testimonies of the horror of these weapons.
Update from May 19, 06:15 a.m.: The G7 countries want to further restrict Russia's billion-dollar commodity trade. The U.S. and Britain announced new punitive measures. London wants to impose an import ban on Russian diamonds as well as copper, aluminum and nickel from Russia. Among other things, the U.S. plans to cut off about 70 companies and organizations from Russia and other countries from U.S. exports, a government official in Hiroshima said. More than 300 people, companies and organizations, ships and aircraft want to impose different penalties on the United States. Britain also wants to punish 86 individuals and companies.
G7 summit in Japan: Sanctions against Russia - US announces new package
First reported on 19 May: Hiroshima – The heads of state and government of the G7 countries are meeting in Japan. Shortly before the official start of the meeting, there was the first big announcement: The United States held out the prospect of a new package of sanctions against Russia. Among other things, it is planned to cut off about 70 companies from Russia and other countries from US exports. This was said by a high-ranking US government official shortly before the official start of the G7 summit.
Russia's war against Ukraine is one of the main topics of the meeting of the seven leading democratic industrialized nations, which officially begins on Friday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz will represent Germany. The West had already imposed unprecedented punitive measures against Russia in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in recent months, including far-reaching trade restrictions. Among other things, the G7 countries want to discuss in Hiroshima how they can improve the enforcement of existing sanctions and prevent them from being circumvented.
G7 countries
Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Canada, USA. (represented in Japan by Heads of State or Government).
Until 2014, the group was called G8 - but Russia was excluded due to the onset of the Ukraine conflict, including the annexation of Crimea.
The U.S. official said that all G7 countries were preparing new sanctions and export controls at the same time. He did not want to comment in detail on the plans of the partners. "But the United States will launch a comprehensive package of measures of its own." The aim is to increase economic pressure on Russia and make it even harder to maintain its war machine. The plan is to further complicate access to goods that are important on the battlefield. (with agency material)