Zelensky seeks to win over Brazil and India at G7 summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to win over Brazil and India at the G7 summit in Japan, where he called on leaders to unite behind his proposal to end Russia’s war.

Zelensky said “clear global leadership of democracy” was needed to counter Moscow’s aggression, in a speech addressed to G7 leaders along with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

“The more we work together, the less likely anyone else in the world will follow Russia’s crazy path,” Zelensky said on Sunday. “But is it enough? I think we need clear global leadership of democracy. That’s the main thing we provide with our cooperation.”

The Ukrainian leader made a surprise decision to attend the Hiroshima summit in person, using the opportunity to confront Modi and Lula, leaders of two developing countries that have worked to maintain close ties with Moscow. China, which has refused to condemn Russia’s aggression, has also sought to position itself as a peacemaker by calling for a ceasefire.

Zelensky’s 10-point plan to end the conflict includes demanding Moscow withdraw all its troops and restore Ukraine’s full territorial integrity. China’s peace plan, which was presented in February, does not call for Russia’s complete withdrawal before peace talks can begin.

“As long as the Russian aggressors remain on our land, no one will sit down at the negotiating table with Russia. The colonizer must exit. And the world has enough power to force Russia to restore peace step by step.

During Sunday’s meeting, Zelensky told Lula and Modi that the war in Ukraine was a war against the UN charter and international law, urging all countries to support Kiev in defending those principles, the people. gave details of the conversation.

“By inviting President Zelensky to Japan, we were able to demonstrate the firm solidarity between the G7 and Ukraine,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said after hosting the Hiroshima summit.

At a news conference on Sunday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said any peace deal must be “on Ukraine’s terms”.

Sunak said, “In other words, we must and we will show that violent territorial aggression does not pay off.” “Those who are calling for peace but really want a ceasefire must recognize that this is not a just and sustainable peace.”

American and Western officials have condemned the Chinese plan. After its release, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that China “doesn’t have much credibility” because it did not condemn the invasion.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said any resolution was worth looking into, but pointed out that the war “will end tomorrow” if Russia adheres to the first point in the Chinese plan, which underscores the need to respect the sovereignty of nations. .

Earlier in the day, Joe Biden held a bilateral meeting with Zelensky, reaffirming his commitment to helping Ukraine by his administration to “build Ukraine’s long-term capacity to deter and defend against Russian aggression”. A new $375 million arms package was unveiled for the country. ,

Zelensky shared his photographs with Biden, saying that the two “discussed further cooperation to enhance the defense capabilities of our state, as well as the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula.”

The White House said the two leaders also discussed US plans to support efforts to train Ukrainian pilots to fly fourth-generation fighter aircraft, including the F-16. The meeting comes two days after the US, Britain and Canada announced a new round of sanctions on Russia to make it more difficult for the country to obtain materials needed for an invasion of Ukraine.

The US has been Ukraine’s biggest supporter since Russia invaded the country in 2014. It significantly increased military aid to Kiev following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, delivering NATO-grade weapons including armored vehicles, artillery systems, air defenses, and more. even more.