For the first time since the war in Ukraine
“Bahmut is destroyed” Russian occupation hints
Meet the leaders and appeal for aid to the war in Ukraine
Calls for “participation” in Russia’s oil imports
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise appearance at the G7 summit that ended in Hiroshima, Japan on the 21st. Visiting Asia for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year, he received as much attention as the leaders of major countries even though he was not the leader of the G7.
On the same day, President Zelensky virtually admitted that Bakhmut, the biggest battlefield in Donbas, southeastern Ukraine, had fallen to Russia, and appealed for active support from the G7. In particular, he urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a major importer of Russian crude oil and maintains friendly relations with Russia, to “join the Ukraine peace formula.”
Japan, the host country of the G7 summit, put a lot of effort into welcoming President Zelensky. Most of the heads of state, including President Yoon Seok-yeol, were received by the deputy minister of foreign affairs at the vice-ministerial level. However, President Zelensky was greeted at Hiroshima Airport by Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara, a direct subordinate of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. It is interpreted that Japan also attached great significance to the fact that President Zelensky was the first Asian country to visit Japan after the Russian invasion.
Contrary to the initial observation that the U.S. military aircraft would be used, President Zelensky moved on an Airbus A330, a private plane for the French government. When the Airbus A330 with President Zelensky appeared in Japanese airspace on the 20th, Japanese media tracked the plane’s movements in real time. The scene of him arriving at Hiroshima Airport was broadcast live across the country through public broadcasters NHK and others.
According to AFP, French President Emmanuel Macron had a dinner with President Zelensky, who visited Paris, France on the 14th, and discussed ways to have him attend the G7 summit, and implemented it. France first picked up President Zelensky at the border with Poland and dropped him off in Saudi Arabia, where the meeting was held, so that he could attend the summit of the Arab League (AL). From there they carried him back to Hiroshima.
President Macron met with President Zelensky in Hiroshima on the 21st and said, “I hope that the summit meeting and side meetings will be a ‘special opportunity’ for Ukraine.” It means that requesting support from the leaders of other countries that have not yet joined in supporting Ukraine can be a ‘game changer’ that will change the game of war.
President Zelensky disclosed via Telegram on the 20th that he met with Prime Minister Modi and asked him to join him in the ‘peace formula’ he proposed. At the G20 summit in November last year, he presented a 10-point formula for peace, including the withdrawal of Russian troops, nuclear safety, food security, and energy security.
The two leaders met today for the first time since the Russian invasion in February last year. India, which has traditionally maintained neutral diplomacy, is increasing its imports of Russian oil and fertilizers, rather than joining the Western sanctions against Russia even after the Russian invasion.
It is interpreted that the reason why President Zelensky came all the way to Japan to ask for support from the leaders of major countries is because the war situation is so tough. On the 21st, he said, “Bahmut has been destroyed and there is almost nothing left,” as if acknowledging the occupation of Bahmut by the Russian army. However, the Ukrainian side emphasized that “our forces still control part of the city” and that “Bahmut was not occupied until today.”
zoom inRussian mercenary Wagner Group “total control of Bahmut” Yevgeny Prigozhin (center), head of the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, held up the Russian flag at Bakhmut, a major battlefield in southeastern Ukraine, on the 20th and said, “We have completely taken control of Bahmut.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also acknowledged the fall on the 21st, saying, “Bahmut remains in our hearts.” Bahmut = AP NewsisPreviously, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, a private military company considered one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s private armies, claimed through a video on the 20th that “Bahmut has been completely occupied.” The Russian President’s Office (Kremlin Palace) also issued a statement and said, “President Putin congratulated the completion of the Bakhmut liberation operation.”
Paris =
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.