Japan considers inviting Zelensky to virtual G7 summit on anniversary of russia’s invasion — Kyodo

On February 24, the first anniversary of russia's invasion of Ukraine, Japan intends to hold a G7 online summit. Tokyo chairs the G7 this year.

Rubryka writes about this with reference to the Kyodo agency.

According to sources, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is considering inviting the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to a video summit. During the meeting, the G7 leaders intend to confirm their unity in the fight against russia's aggression against Ukraine.

This will be the first G7 summit hosted by Kishida. A similar meeting was held on February 24, 2022, at which the group leaders agreed on introducing economic sanctions against russia.

At the planned online summit, G7 countries such as the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the US, and the European Union are expected to reaffirm cooperation in support of Ukraine and condemn russia, the sources said.

The sources said the G7 leaders would exchange views on stabilizing global energy markets, which have been battered since russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, as oil and natural gas prices worldwide soared.

Kishida also expressed readiness to consider visiting Ukraine for negotiations with Zelensky if the relevant conditions are met.

Among the G7 countries, Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy leaders have already visited Ukraine since the beginning of the war. In December, US President Joe Biden held a meeting with Zelensky in Washington.

But a representative of the Japanese government said that organizing Kishida's visit to Ukraine may be difficult for security reasons, as relations between Tokyo and moscow have deteriorated sharply over the past year.