Zelenskiy to attend G7 in person, reports say, as leaders prepare new sanctions

At the G7 today and over the weekend, leaders of the group of major economies will unveil further sanctions and export controls targeting Russia over its war against Ukraine, as it was reported that the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, would attend the Hiroshima summit in person.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, now in its second year, will be high on the agenda as G7 leaders gathered in Hiroshima on Friday. The US has spearheaded tough sanctions on Russian companies, banks and individuals; the forthcoming announcements are designed to reaffirm world powers’ resolve to support Ukraine and squeeze Moscow.

A US official, speaking to reporters ahead of the gathering, said the G7’s latest efforts were aimed at disrupting Russia’s ability to get materials it needs for the battlefield, close loopholes used to evade sanctions, further reduce international reliance on Russian energy, and narrow Moscow’s access to the international financial system.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will travel to Japan to join G7 leaders at the summit in Hiroshima, a European Union source has told Reuters.

Bloomberg is also reporting Zelenskiy’s surprise in-person visit, citing people familiar with the matter.

Zelenskiy had been expected to make a virtual appearance.

Source: The Guardian