The Ukrainian president, Volodímir Zelenski, today called for more support from democratic countries around the world against the Russian invasion, during the meeting of G7 leaders, which was also attended by the leaders of India, Brazil and Indonesia, among other nations.
"Together with all our allies and partners, we have reached such a level of cooperation that ensures that democracy, international law and freedom are respected," Zelenski said in a message distributed on social networks after attending the meetings that concluded on Sunday. in Hiroshima (Japan).
"There have been attempts to ignore what we value. But now that is impossible. Our power is growing," Zelensky said, adding that "anyone who carries out aggression against a democratic country has seen what response is going to be found." However, he believes that Bakhmut is "no longer" in the hands of Ukraine, but his statements were ambiguous and he downplayed the city's strategic importance, assuring that "nothing" remains and that its buildings have been "destroyed".
"I think not," Zelensky replied and, addressing the journalist who asked him, he added: "What you must understand is that there is nothing, they have destroyed all the buildings. For now, Bakhmut only exists in our hearts. There is nothing Well, a lot of dead Russian soldiers, but they came for us."
However, he added that "democracy needs more," and in particular called for "clear global leadership of democracy." Zelensky also presented his peace plan during the meetings "which guarantees each of the points that are supported by United Nations resolutions, and in a way "that everyone in the world can choose the path they are going to follow." This program it is finding support "from Japan to the Arab countries, from Europe to Latin America," he said.
The Ukrainian leader, who traveled to Hiroshima the day before, attended today a first session of the summit dedicated specifically to discussing the situation on the ground in Ukraine and the measures of the Group of Seven to intensify its shipments of arms and equipment as fighters, plus financial and other support.
The Japanese Prime Minister and host of the meeting, Fumio Kishida, expressed his "sincere respect for the courage and perseverance of the Ukrainian people, who overcame the harsh winter and united in the face of Russian aggression", in his speech at the beginning of the meeting. from today.
Kishida stressed that the G7 "welcomes and supports President Zelensky's sincere efforts towards a just and lasting peace," noting that the Group of Seven will maintain "its unwavering commitment to provide diplomatic, financial, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine." to the extent necessary."
A second session was also held this Sunday to address the situation in Ukraine in which, in addition to Zelenski and the G7 leaders, those of other invited countries intervened, including the Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Indian Prime Minister , Narendra Modi, or the Indonesian president, Joko Widodo. Some of these countries have adopted a neutral stance in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine and maintain ties with Moscow, on which they depend for energy supplies and security, especially in the case of India.
Zelenski has held bilateral meetings with a large part of those attending the summit, and plans to also meet face to face this Sunday in Hiroshima with Kishida and with US President Joe Biden.
