Ukrainian president to attend G7 summit as allies search to place stress on Putin
The Ukrainian president will attend the summit in Japan on Sunday, it’s understood, because the Prime Minister warned Vladimir Putin “we’re not going away”.
It will doubtlessly deliver Mr Zelensky into contact with India’s Narendra Modi and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who haven’t opposed the invasion like their western allies.
Mr Zelensky has met many western politicians just lately, together with Mr Sunak in Chequers on Monday.
But it might be a possibility for him to construct stronger hyperlinks with the Indian prime minister, who has remained impartial, and the Brazilian president, who the US has accused of “parroting” Russia propaganda.
Attending G7 – the group that Russia was expelled from over its 2014 annexation of Crimea – would even be a brand new show of solidarity.
Earlier, Mr Sunak introduced Britain is banning Russian diamonds in a brand new wave of sanctions to stress Russia that may also prohibit imports of Russian-origin copper, aluminium and nickel.
There has been uncertainty whether or not the EU will go so far as Britain on diamonds, with the commerce notably profitable for Belgium, however Mr Sunak stated he’s “hopeful and confident” allies will observe.
Having signed a brand new defence and safety pact with Tokyo, Mr Sunak visited the A-bomb dome break together with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, to mirror on the atomic devastation within the Second World War.
Talks between G7 allies, together with US President Joe Biden and France’s Emmanuel Macron, will centre on army and financial assist for Ukraine as they search to indicate a united entrance.
Mr Sunak informed Sky: “Russia needs to know that we and other countries remain steadfast in our resolve to support Ukraine, not just in the here and now with the resources it needs to protect itself, but for the long term as well.”
He added to ITV News: “They can’t just outlast us in this conflict.
“One of the common topics of conversation I’ll be having and have been having with my fellow leaders is about the longer-term security agreements that we put in place in Ukraine, to deter future Russian aggression.”
The UK can also be getting ready new particular person sanctions towards 86 individuals and corporations to use additional stress on the Russian president and his supporters.
The diamond export business was price greater than £3 billion to Russia in 2021 however No 10 conceded direct imports have been low because the UK sanctioned state-owned miners Alrosa final yr.
Britain’s transfer will add stress on any hesitant allies to observe go well with.
Mr Sunak informed the BBC: “I’m hopeful and confident that our partner countries will follow as they have done when we’ve done this previously, that will make the sanctions more effective, ensure that Russia pays a price for its illegal activity.”
The three-day summit – additionally together with Germany, Italy and Canada – will embrace talks on financial stability and the safety of Taiwan within the face of Chinese aggression.
Mr Sunak’s official spokesman stated: “Guarding against economic coercion is something that the Prime Minister is pushing for.”
On Sunday, Mr Sunak informed reporters travelling with him in Japan that he has seen “positive” steps from India however that they wanted to maintain the dialogue open with Mr Modi and Mr da Silva.
“One thing we have to keep doing is talking to countries like India and also Brazil, that is going to be in that second part of the summit which is a good thing,” the Prime Minister stated.
India is being represented on the G7 summit as a result of it’s the present G20 chair, whereas Brazil has been invited as a visitor.