The Group of Seven (G7) leaders have said that they would not back down from supporting Ukraine in its war as Russian forces continue to make advancements in the pro-Moscow regions.
“Together with the entire G7 we have Ukraine’s back and I promise we’re not going anywhere,” octogenarian US President Joe Biden claimed on the final day of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
Russia has condemned the G7 summit as a “politicised” event pumping out anti-Russian and anti-Chinese statements and accused the forum of undermining global stability.
Moscow’s Foreign Ministry in a statement on Telegram accused the summit of fanning anti-Russian and anti-Chinese “hysteria”, according to Reuters news agency.
It said the G7 had “irreversibly deteriorated” and that the forum had become “an incubator where, under the leadership of the Anglo-Saxons, destructive initiatives that undermine global stability are prepared”.
In the same statement, it said the G7 was “flirting” with non-Western states in an effort to hamper the development of their ties with Moscow and Beijing.
Giving the green light to the US-led allies who were willing to supply Ukraine with the F-16 fighter jets, conveys the message to Russia that Western countries are still adhering to the escalation scenario as the conflict approaches its 16th month of bloody fighting.
Also attending the G7 summit was British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who met one-on-one with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky once more after meeting him last week in England.
Sunak said pilot training for Ukraine’s airmen would start this summer, insisting that Kiev would get the air force it wanted for the future.
For his turn, Biden said he had received a “flat assurance” US-made F-16 fighter jets provided by Western countries would not be used to attack Russian territory, but they could attack Russian troops in Ukraine.
He called for a “just peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
He said his visit to the Hiroshima memorial was a “powerful reminder of the devastating reality of nuclear war” and the need to strive for peace.
After President Biden gave a press conference, it was Volodomyr Zelensky’s turn. He praised host city Hiroshima for its display of solidarity with Ukraine. He said he’s “confident” Ukraine will receive the F-16 fighter jets, but doesn’t know how many.
Zelensky added that Russia will feel Ukraine’s counter offensive when it comes.
Source: Websites
