21 May 2023

G7 summit 2023 LIVE | 'Bakhmut not occupied,' a defiant Zelensky says

G7 summit 2023 LIVE | 'Bakhmut not occupied,' a defiant Zelensky says

General view shows the G7, Partner Countries and Ukraine meeting as a part of the G7 leaders' summit in Hiroshima, western Japan May 21, 2023, in this handout photo released by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Photograph: (Reuters)

The G7 meet is special for India as it is the first visit to the Japanese city by an Indian prime minister since India conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1974

Key Updates

21 May 2023, 4:29 PM (IST)

Zelensky said he has secured “high quality” weapons from everyone at the G7 summit, and added that he was confident that Ukraine would receive F-16 fighter jets, but unsure how many.

Dodging a question about when Ukraine’s counter-offensive would begin, he said, "Russia will feel when we have a counter-offensive."

21 May 2023, 4:27 PM (IST)

US President Joe Biden, who is also holding addressing parallelly, said that he had received a “flat assurance” from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he would not use Western-provided F-16 fighter jets to go into Russian territory.

Biden told reporters that F-16 warplanes could, however, be used “wherever Russian troops are within Ukraine and the area.”

21 May 2023, 4:24 PM (IST)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied reports of Brazil, China and India sending weapons to Russia.

He added that it was important to “be united together” to involve everyone in the peace formula.

He said he had met almost all the G7 leaders, but there was a scheduling reason for not meeting with the Brazilian president.

21 May 2023, 4:22 PM (IST)

On gaining new F-16 fighter jets soon from the US and its allies, Mr Zelenskyy says: "Yes, we really have been working for a long time politically with our partners to get the desired outcome of the strengthening of our skies. 

"Besides air, we are grateful for that. We are really grateful to the United States of America."

Mr Zelenskyy said that it is important for Ukraine to have pilot training and for their pilots to be "as educated as possible, and as trained and experienced as possible, with huge experience to decrease this process of training" of the new F-16s. 

He said he is so far unable to say how many aircraft Ukraine will receive.

21 May 2023, 4:16 PM (IST)

Zelensky thanked the G7 host city of Hiroshima for every blue and yellow flag on the streets (pointing out to Ukranian flag).

He says when there is a Ukrainian flag, there is evidence that there is faith in freedom, faith in life and "faith in our people".

21 May 2023, 4:11 PM (IST)

Ukrainain President Volodymyr Zelensky says Bakhmut has still not fallen under Russian forces.

His response came during media interaction following his address.

On Russia's claims it has taken control of Bakhmut, he said: "I cannot share with you tactical views of our military, of our warriors. 

"But as of today I can say that the country which is dozens of times bigger than we are, cannot occupy us, and cannot win in this war."⁠

"Now our people are accomplishing a very important mission. They are now in Bakhmut. I will not share where exactly, but Bakhmut is not occupied by Russian Federation as of today."

21 May 2023, 4:11 PM (IST)

Continuing his address to the G7 summit, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says if Russia's actions are left unchecked, "the West will inevitably become a wreck". 

"It is only a matter of time before all the criminals in public office want to wage similar wars. If Russia is allowed to keep even a sliver of the territory it occupies, international law will never apply. 

He added that "Russia must stop blackmailing the world with radiation and nuclear weapons and hand over the nuclear power plant it is currently occupying to the point control of Ukraine". 

Mr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine offers the world salvation from war. 

21 May 2023, 4:10 PM (IST)

Volodymyr Zelenskiy is speaking now at the G7 summit.

"Our heroic people are turning history around so we can make war itself become a shadow. I believe that war has no place in the world. Humanity has come a very long way and lost many lives in bloody confrontations, death."

21 May 2023, 4:04 PM (IST)

US President Joe Biden said that the US will continue to put Taiwan "in a position where they can defend themselves".

He added that there is a "clear understanding" among the US and its allies that if China acted unilaterally on Taiwan there "would be a response".

However, he says he doesn't think there's anything "inevitable" about the notion that there will be a conflict.

21 May 2023, 4:02 PM (IST)

When asked how US will manage its relationship with China amidst its military activity in the Taiwan Strait, Biden said that Biden the US-China agreed to a military hotline between the two nations, before the "silly balloon" that was shot down in American territory and "everything changed in terms of talking to one another".

But he says he thinks relations will "thaw very shortly".

21 May 2023, 3:57 PM (IST)

Addressing on the Ukraine war, Biden says, "Finally we are joined here in Hiroshima by President Zelenskyy - and the G7 reaffirmed our shared and unwavering, let me say it again, our shared and unwavering commitment to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia's brutal war of aggression and the war crimes being committed."

He added that together with its partner countries, the G7  "reiterated the need for a just peace that respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, both core principles of the UN Charter". 

He says "Vladimir Putin will not break our resolve" in supporting Ukraine: "Russia started the war and Russia could end it today by withdrawing its troops from Ukraine's internationally recognised borders and ceasing its assault until then. 

"The ability of Ukraine to defend itself is essential to being able to end this war permanently and through diplomacy.

21 May 2023, 3:47 PM (IST)

Taking a stand on China, Biden said the G7 countries have agreed that it is not looking to "decouple from China" , but is looking to "derisk and diversify our relationship with China".

21 May 2023, 3:46 PM (IST)

US President Joe Biden has announced new artilleries and weapons to help Ukraine 'succeed' in war against Russia. 

 "We will begin training Ukrainian pilots in fourth gen fligths," he said.

21 May 2023, 3:42 PM (IST)

"I want to thank (Japanese PM) Fumio Kishida for his outstanding leadership of G7," says US President Joe Biden.

21 May 2023, 3:39 PM (IST)

US President Joe Biden holds a news conference on the final day of the G7 summit in Hiroshima.

21 May 2023, 2:34 PM (IST)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Sunday that it was significant that G7 showed solidarity in their intention to uphold international law and order at the summit attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. 

"It is significant that G7 members were able to show unwavering solidarity with Ukraine by inviting President Zelenskiy to Japan, to reaffirm the importance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and to send a strong message to the world of our intention of upholding it," Kishida said, the news agency Reuters reported. 

21 May 2023, 2:04 PM (IST)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday that his government would support Ukraine for as long and as much as necessary in its conflict with Russia which includes the training of Ukrainian soldiers and possibly pilots. 

Addressing a press conference during the G7 summit in Japan's Hiroshima, Trudeau said "we're always looking to do more" when it came to support for Ukraine.

21 May 2023, 2:00 PM (IST)

US President Joe Biden announced a fresh round of military assistance for Ukraine worth up to $375 million.

He also assured President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the United States was doing all in its power to fortify Ukraine's defences. Biden claimed the military aid package included ammunition, artillery, armoured vehicles, and training when he met with the Ukrainian president in Japan.

Biden continued, "We have Ukraine's back, and I promise we are not going anywhere." 

21 May 2023, 1:40 PM (IST)

Having Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend the G7 leaders and partners in Hiroshima, according to the British prime minister, "sends a powerful message."

The most powerful democracies in the world have strengthened sanctions at the Group of Seven meeting in an effort to penalise Moscow and pressure Russia to stop its 15-month invasion of Ukraine.

Sunak praised US President Joe Biden for his cooperation in agreeing to provide F-16 aircraft and announced that the UK will begin training Ukrainian pilots this summer.

21 May 2023, 1:18 PM (IST)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says the decision to invite Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky to the G7 summit in Hiroshima shows the bloc's 'unwavering solidarity' with Ukraine and sends a 'strong message' to the world of its commitment to defend the international order. 

21 May 2023, 12:52 PM (IST)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a bilateral meeting with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the final day of the G7 Summit Leaders' Meeting in Hiroshima. On the concluding day of the summit, Japan's Kishida gave remarks at Hiroshima memorial.

21 May 2023, 12:36 PM (IST)

US President Joe Biden and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold bilateral talks in Hiroshima. According to a senior Biden administration official, America and its allies intend to give Ukraine F-16 fighter planes as part of a long-term effort to bolster the nation's security, even if the aircraft may not necessarily come from the United States.
 

21 May 2023, 11:20 AM (IST)

The last day of the G7 summit in Hiroshima is going on. US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol shook hands and posed for photographs on Sunday.

Washington wishes that the two neighbours, both of which are bulwarks of US power in the region and liberal democracies, should stand together on variousn issues, including rising aggression from North Korea, Russia and China.

21 May 2023, 10:52 AM (IST)

The conclusing session of G7 Hiroshima Summti which is Session 9 "Towards a Peaceful, Stable and Prosperous World" was held between the G7 leaders, invited countries and Ukraine. This concludes all the sessions of the G7 Hiroshima Summit. 

 

G7

21 May 2023, 10:46 AM (IST)

India's PM Narendra Modi's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the G7 summit have been highlighted in Japanese newspapers.

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21 May 2023, 9:55 (IST)

Indian PM Narendra Modi wrapped up his two-day visit to Japan to attend the G7 summit on Sunday. He will now leave for Papua New Guinea with focus on Pacific Summit, diaspora and MoUs. 

"It has been a fruitful visit to Japan. Met several world leaders during the G-7 Summit and discussed a variety of issues with them. Gratitude to PM @kishida230 , the Government and people of Japan for their warmth. Leaving for Papua New Guinea in a short while," tweeted PM Modi. 

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21 May 2023, 9:53 (IST)

The Russian and Chinese sides did not take lightly the statements released at the G7 summit, currently being held in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Moscow was the first to react saying decisions at the G7 meet were aimed at the "double containment of Russia and China". Meanwhile, Beijing said G7's "approach has no international credibility whatsoever".

Read more...

21 May 2023, 9:52 (IST)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a productive meeting with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Sunday during which the two leaders reviewed the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries which included progress in India-UK FTA negotiations.

Read more...

21 May 2023, 9:31 (IST)

Ukrainian President Zelensky on Sunday took to Twitter to share a message aimed at Russia. he said the world powers were increasingly coming together to support Ukraine and end the ongoing war. 

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21 May 2023, 9:01 (IST)

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said G7 summit in Japan was an opportunity to convince Brazil, India, the two emerging states, regarding Ukraine. Notably, thee Indian PM met Zelensky on Saturday and said New Delhi will use any means necessary to end the war. 

21 May 2023, 8:47 (IST)

After holding bilateral talks with Rishi Sunak, the Indian PM held a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as the duo touched upon myriad topics of mutual interests. 

"PM @narendramodi and President @LulaOficial of Brazil held a productive meeting in Hiroshima. They discussed ways to deepen the India-Brazil cooperation in key developmental sectors," tweeted the PMO. 

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21 May 2023, 8:12 (IST)

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the G7 was a "way to build peace". Macron said it was an "honour" to make a plane available to take Zelensky, first to an Arab League summit and then to the G7, saying it showed "France building peace and looking for solutions".

21 May 2023, 8:09 (IST)

The PM started off his second day in Japan by visiting the peace memorial and paying his respects to the victims of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb blast tragedy. 

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21 May 2023, 7:59 (IST)

PM Modi and his British counterpart talked about deepening ties across commerce, technology, and education during their meeting.

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21 May 2023, 7:52 (IST)

After a day of bilateral meetings, PM Modi commended day-2 by having the acquaintance of British PM Rishi Sunak. 

"PM @narendramodi held fruitful talks with PM @RishiSunak of UK in Hiroshima. The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation across a wide range of areas including commerce, technology, and education," tweeted the PMO. 

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21 May 2023, 7:50 (IST)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his day by visiting the Peace Memorial Museum, where he observed the documented exhibits and signed the visitor’s book. PM Modi paid tribute to the memory of Hiroshima victims at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan.