At his meeting with Biden, the Ukrainian leader appeared to confirm that Russian forces have captured Bakhmut, saying there was "nothing left" of the city.

Asked if the destroyed eastern city was still in Ukraine's control, Zelensky was not entirely clear but he said: "I think no."

"For today, Bakhmut is only in our hearts."

Russia and Ukraine have been fighting in Bakhmut for months. Russia has long held large parts of the territory, but Ukraine has held onto western sections - and recently even announced small gains.

As we reported earlier, the UK PM Rishi Sunak reluctantly took questions in Hiroshima about his Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who is involved in a row about speeding.

After the news conference, a Downing Street source says "of course" Sunak has confidence in Braverman.

Earlier, the PM was asked whether he had confidence in Braverman, and did not explicitly say that he did.

While the UK PM was speaking, Volodymyr Zelensky and Joe Biden held their direct talks.

Pictures show senior members of Ukraine and US administrations were also present - including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

In his final answer, Sunak gives the summit host, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, "enormous credit" for bringing Volodymyr Zelensky and Global South leaders to Japan.

This shows that the G7 is "engaging and listening to more countries and more parts of the world", Sunak says

"Japan has demonstrated that our security is indivisible, regardless of where we live. The values that we hold are universal," he says.

Sunak also gave his approval to Hiroshima's version of okonomiyaki - or Japanese savoury pancakes - that competes with the recipe from Osaka.

Back now to domestic matters.

Sunak is asked about migration to the UK - with some reports suggesting net migration to the UK could hit almost one million in the past year, when new figures come out this week.

Sunak is asked specifically whether too many foreign students are coming to the UK, as well as their dependants.

Sunak says he thinks legal migration numbers "are too high and I'm committed to bringing them down".

He explains they are considering "a range of measures" to bring the numbers down, but does not give any specific plans.

He also adds he is addressing illegal migration with other countries to "stop the boats".

Sunak is back now on global matters - a topic he seems more comfortable on.

Washington's decision to agree to allow allies to send US-built F16 jets to Ukraine was "very welcome", the PM says.

The UK doesn't have any F16 jets but several European nations do, including Denmark and the Netherlands - and they need permission from Washington to allow them to be used elsewhere.

The advanced aircraft would be a huge boost to Ukraine's current fleet which are Soviet-era machines with limited missile scope.

Zelensky has been lobbying the US for the jets for months - and Sunak says he also spoke about the issue last week.

He repeats that the UK has already announced plans to help train Ukrainian pilots to use the new jets.

Image source, Reuters

The prime minister is now taking questions from reporters. The BBC's political editor Chris Mason asks Sunak about reports Home Secretary Suella Braverman sought advice from civil servants about arranging a private speed awareness course.

A government source denied Mrs Braverman broke the ministerial code.

The PM is asked whether he has full confidence in Braverman.

After initially asking Mason whether he has any questions on the G7, he says he understands Braverman has expressed regret for speeding, and has paid the fine.

Sunak refers to the G7's statement, issued yesterday, aimed at combatting economic coercion.

That communique didn't name China. But Sunak directly names China here.

"The UK completely aligns with our allies. This is all about derisking not decoupling," he says.

He refers to the weight of the combined G7 alliance to "prevent China from using economic coercion to interfere in the sovereign affairs of others".

Sunak says the G7 is delivering more support for Ukraine on the battlefield with tanks and long-range missiles.

He states Ukraine must win the war - and gain a just and lasting peace.

President Zelensky's attendance is a "moment of historical significance", Sunak says.

"The image of the G7 and our partners, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with President Zelensky, sends a powerful message about the unity and determination of the G7 and its allies," he says.

"We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes because their security is our security."

Sunak explicity identifies China as "posing the greatest challenge of our age" in regards to global security and prosperity.

He says China is "increasingly authoritarian at home and abroad".

Sunak begins by saying he has has secured £18bn of new investment from Japan into the UK.

He says this will bring hundreds of news jobs to Britain.

Stay here for updates

The UK PM is about to give a news conference - stay here for the latest lines.

You can watch the session by pressing play at the top of the page.

The UK has just published a read-out - or brief report - of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's meeting with his Indian opposite number.

It makes no direct reference to Ukraine.

India has growing trade with Russia, and Narendra Modi has sought to remain neutral on the war.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the G7 Summit in Japan today.

"Prime Minister Modi passed on his warm congratulations on the coronation of his Majesty King Charles III.

"The leaders reflected on the deep ties between the UK and India, rooted in our human connections, and the vital importance of democracy and fair and open trade.

"They discussed progress on a UK-India Free Trade Agreement. The leaders agreed that their teams would continue to work at pace to finalise an ambitious and mutually beneficial deal.

"The leaders discussed the wider objectives of the G7 Summit and the Prime Minister committed his strong support for India’s G20 Presidency, which comes at a crucial time for global security and prosperity.

"He looked forward to working closely with Prime Minister Modi ahead of a successful summit later this year."

President Biden has just invited Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan and South Korea's President Yoon to the US for a trilateral meeting later this year.

The invitation comes as relations seemingly thaw between Japan and South Korea, after decades of tension.

Earlier, Kishida and Yoon jointly laid wreaths during their visit to a cenotaph dedicated to Korean victims of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Image source, Getty Images

Volodymyr Zelensky has met leaders from so-called Global South countries, who - though not a formal part of the G7 - were invited to the summit by host Japan.

The Ukrainian leader is seeking global support for his country's counter-offensive against Russian invaders.

Image source, EPA

Image source, G7

Image source, G7

It's not just Ukraine: China's 'economic coercion' also a big G7 topicpublished at 05:45 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

05:45 BST 21 May 2023

Nick Marsh
in Hiroshima

Yesterday, we saw the G7 leaders put out a statement promising to combat the "disturbing rise" of economic coercion.

China was not mentioned directly - but the statement was clearly aimed at Beijing. Specifically, accusations that it has used its vast power to punish or persuade smaller countries to fall in line.

Australia and Lithuania are just the latest examples of countries that have have seen Chinese trade retaliation in response to political decisions.

So concern over Beijing’s economic influence has been one of the cornerstones of leaders’ discussions here.

But G7 leaders are scratching their heads about how to deal with the problem.

You can’t just "de-couple" - or break off ties - with the world’s second largest economy. This is especially true for European countries and Japan.

So they’ve settled for a policy of "de-risking" and "diversifying". That means not being as dependent on China economically by spreading some of your investments and supply chains away from the country.

Even though China wasn't named yesterday, Beijing knew who it was aimed at and issued a furious reply.

They say the G7 is conducting a coordinated ‘smear’ and ‘attack’ on China and that the original economic coercer is actually the US.