The Group of Seven (G-7) summit in Hiroshima concluded on Sunday with the world’s richest nations expressing “unwavering support” to Ukraine.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, at a press conference at the end of the three-day huddle, also shared the aim to achieve a nuclear-free world free from threats.
Kishida, who was also the chairman of this year’s summit, said the G-7 leaders shared what he called the “idealistic” goal of ridding the world of nuclear armaments, adding that threats to use nuclear weapons “must not be accepted.”
He said the leaders agreed to further tighten economic sanctions on Russia to “undermine the country’s capacity to continue its aggression.”
Kishida said the group was ready to establish “constructive and stable ties” with China, which has stepped up efforts in recent years to bolster its military influence in the region.
He urged Beijing to “act responsibly” in the international community, without elaborating further.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also participated in the huddle.
The Japanese premier said Zelenskyy’s in-person attendance at the summit helped send “a strong message” on the Ukraine crisis.
Zelenskyy, who landed at Hiroshima airport on a French government plane on Saturday, is set to hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida later in the day.
During Sunday’s sessions, which were also attended by some leaders from emerging and developing nations, Zelenskyy is believed to have appealed for broad support from the international community, a Japanese news agency reported.
Many developing countries have avoided taking sides over Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine, with some of them dependent on Russia, a resource-rich nation, for military and energy supplies.
CURRENTPH NEWS SERVICE
