Zelensky will travel to Japan for the G7, seeking weapons and aid, officials say

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will appear in person at the Group of 7 summit in Japan’s Hiroshima this weekend, according to several officials. the richest democracies in the world.

Officials did not say when Mr. Zelensky would arrive, hoping to keep details of his travels vague for security reasons. But the leaders gathered in Hiroshima — including President Biden and his counterparts from Japan, Canada, Britain, France, Germany and Italy — will spend the next three days talking about all dimensions of Russia’s war in Ukraine. That is likely to include discussions about the enforcement of sanctions, whether or not to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Kiev, and the possibility of negotiating a ceasefire or peace treaty.

So far, no public announcements have been made about Mr Zelensky’s plans, and Ukrainian news media have suggested that he will participate virtually in the summit. But in the past week he has visited Britain and other European countries, and his willingness to travel outside Kiev is partly to demonstrate his confidence in the stability of his own government. There have been no known attempts by the Russians to disrupt his travels.

When Mr. Zelensky arrives in Hiroshima, he will almost certainly have a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Biden. The leaders of India, Brazil and other countries that have been reluctant to support Ukraine are also attending the meeting as observers, and Mr Zelensky’s presence could make it more difficult for them to maintain that position, several officials said .

Mr. Zelensky’s anticipated trip to Japan comes amid mounting pressure for success in Ukraine’s imminent counter-offensive against Russian forces to turn the tide of a conflict that has grown into a grueling, exhausting struggle in recent months with little movement. He will make his case against the backdrop of a city that bears strong remembrance of the catastrophic cost of war.

“It is our job to maintain the momentum of international support and communication for Ukraine,” said Mr. Zelensky said in his nightly speech on Thursday. “I am confident that we will accomplish this task.”