"No conflict freezing", or 7 key messages from the G7 Summit in Hiroshima
What positions did the Great Seven leaders voice at the 19-21 May 2023 meeting?
From Friday to Sunday, the Japanese city of Hiroshima hosted the G7 Summit – the USA, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Canada. Volodymyr Zelensky's visit was the main event of this gathering. The President of Ukraine received promises of long-term assistance from G7 leaders in achieving a "just peace" without conceding territories.
Mind offers an insight into the most resonant statements made at the G7 meeting in Hiroshima from 19-21 May 2023.
Joe Biden: G7 will support Ukraine "as much as necessary"
US President Joe Biden announced at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima a new package of military aid to Ukraine worth $375 million. It will include additional ammunition for HIMARS, artillery shells, Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank systems, TOW guided missiles.
Biden assured that the G7 countries will continue to provide as much assistance to Kyiv as needed. The US President emphasised that he stands for a "just peace", and that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country "are not negotiable".
“The United States continues to do all we can to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself,” quotes CNN Joe Biden’s statement at the G7 meeting. “Together with the entire G7, we have Ukraine’s back and I promise we’re not going anywhere,” he added.
Emmanuel Macron: The Ukrainian conflict should not be frozen
President of France Emmanuel Macron called it a "matter of honour" to provide a French government plane for Volodymyr Zelensky to arrive at the G7 summit in Japan and "change the rules of the game". Initially, it was expected that the Ukrainian president would attend the G7 meeting online.
The French leader expressed the opinion that thanks to the personal presence of Volodymyr Zelensky, the summit in Hiroshima became a summit of unity, especially for Ukraine, and was aimed at creating a framework for peace, which should be "strong and not based on a ceasefire".
"We should not create a frozen conflict in Ukraine, as this will lead to war in the future. The issue needs to be resolved," said Emmanuel Macron.
Justin Trudeau: "We don't need a ceasefire. We need peace"
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the support from G7 countries played a crucial role in Ukraine's survival amidst the russian invasion.
“Had we not been there with significant military support, Ukraine would not be standing today,” quotes Canadian Global News Justin Trudeau as saying. “We will not hesitate to continue to ensure that russia does not succeed.”
Trudeau criticised the initiative of Brazilian President Lula da Silva to arrange a ceasefire and start peace negotiations.
“It is not a ceasefire that is needed. It is peace. And that peace can only be achieved if russia decides to stop its ongoing invasion of a sovereign neighbour,” the prime minister emphasised.
Olaf Scholz: F-16 pilot training is a message to russia
The German Chancellor announced at the G7 that the West wants to convey to moscow that it should not expect to achieve success in Ukraine by prolonging the conflict.
"russia should not bet on the idea that if it holds out long enough, this will result in weakening support for Ukraine," stressed Olaf Scholz.
In his words, the decision of the US and allies to start training Ukrainian pilots this summer to operate fourth-generation F-16 fighters is a signal to the russian federation. The USA has not yet definitively decided what will be at the end of the training, but they have demonstrated a determination to support Ukraine until it recovers territories seized by russia.
"The message remains the same: russia has to withdraw troops... The pilot training is a long-term project," quotes Deutsche Welle Olaf Scholz as saying.
Rishi Sunak: China is the biggest challenge
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a tough critique of China at the G7, which is increasingly using its economic power to coerce countries.
China is the biggest challenge of our era to global security and prosperity. They are becoming more authoritarian at home and more assertive abroad," quotes Sky News Rishi Sunak.
According to him, G7 countries demonstrated a "unity of purpose" regarding China and will take steps to reduce the vulnerability of supply chains, as well as to protect against "hostile investments". At the same time, Rishi Sunak emphasised that the goal of the G7 is to reduce risks, not to disconnect from China.
Fumio Kishida: Nuclear threats "must not be tolerated"
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasised that the G7 summit is taking place in Hiroshima – a city that suffered from a nuclear bombardment in 1945.
As part of the summit, a ceremony was organised to lay flowers at the memorial to the victims of atomic bombings, to make as many people as possible reconsider the harm of nuclear weapons and condemn russia for its threats to use them in the Ukrainian conflict.
"Welcoming Zelensky to Hiroshima for the discussion was an opportunity to send a message with a sense of urgency that the threat of nuclear weapons and their use must not be allowed... We need to seek the cooperation of many countries beyond the G7. Japan needs to consider what measures it can effectively take," said Fumio Kishida.
Volodymyr Zelensky: "Photos of ruined Hiroshima remind me of Bakhmut"
In his speech at the G7 summit, Volodymyr Zelensky said that Hiroshima, rebuilt after the war, inspires him to restore the destroyed Ukrainian cities.
“The pictures of ruined Hiroshima totally reminded me of Bakhmut and other similar settlements and towns,” the Washington Post quotes Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7, “For today, Bakhmut is only in our hearts, and there is nothing on this place.”
“Now, Hiroshima is a rebuilt city, and we dream of rebuilding all our cities that are now in ruins, and every village where not a single house is left intact after russian strikes,” added Ukraine’s President.
Read also: "The European Union is Ukraine's army", or 10 key messages of the Munich Security Conference 2023
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