Tokyo, February 24 Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said today that G7 leaders will discuss imposing “new sanctions” against Russia at a virtual summit on Friday.
The Group of Seven leaders will address the “uncertain situation in Ukraine”, in which Russia “appears to be preparing a new offensive while the West is offering more arms support” to Kiev, Kishida told a press conference. before the telematic meeting called by the Japanese rotating presidency of the G7.
“We will also discuss imposing new sanctions on Russia,” said Kishida, who also noted the G7’s intention to “urge third countries that offer military support to Moscow to stop doing so.” .
“We will confirm our unity and we will talk about how to help Ukraine in the reconstruction,” Kishida said of the meeting, during which, in addition to the leaders of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom United, from France, Italy and Germany, the participation is expected of Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky.
The telematic meeting will start at 14:00 GMT, and will take place after the meetings of the G7 Foreign Affairs and Finance Ministers held in recent days.
G7 foreign ministers have already demanded that “third countries” not offer military support to Russia and reiterated their intention to continue to step up pressure measures against Moscow and to support Kiev “as long as it will have to”.
Group of Seven finance and economy ministers on their part approved a $39 billion financial aid package for Ukraine by 2023, up from $19.8 billion last year, so that she can meet her payments.
Japan will host the face-to-face summit of G7 leaders in the city of Hiroshima at the end of May, a meeting in which the hosts hope to once again showcase their commitment to Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion, in addition to sending a message in favor of denuclearization.
“Japan is the only country that suffered from the atomic bomb. In the last 77 years of history, this weapon has not been used, and we hope that it will not be tainted by Russia”, said Kishida, who also expressed “great concern” over Putin’s nuclear threats.
Kishida did not rule out that Zelenski could also be invited to the Hiroshima summit, when asked by the media about this option.