Summary

  • The G7 leaders met in Hiroshima, Japan and agreed on new sanctions to "starve the Russian war machine"

  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is rumoured to be attending the G7 summit on Sunday, a Ukrainian official reports

  • Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia, where he will first attend the Arab League summit

  • "The physical presence of our president is absolutely important in order to defend our interests," Oleksiy Danilov says

  • The G7 comprises the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan - but eight other nations have been invited this year

  1. That's a wrappublished at 13:12 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    G7 leaders waving at family photoImage source, Getty Images

    The G7 leaders are behind closed doors while they feast on fresh seafood, so we are going to take that as a cue to pause our live coverage for the day.

    Today's agenda was dominated by the war in Ukraine and that theme will no doubt be discussed tonight while the leaders hold their working dinner.

    Here are some of the other key points we covered from the G7 summit:

    • Leaders agreed on more sanctions against Russia and demanded a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine
    • Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky could be travelling to Japan for the G7 summit this weekend, but details are scarce
    • Meanwhile, Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Arab League summit
    • G7 leaders laid wreaths at Hiroshima's peace memorial, in tribute to victims of the World War Two atomic bomb attack which killed about 140,000 people
  2. In pictures: What's it like in Hiroshima today?published at 12:56 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Police, and a deer, stand guard as the motorcade of US President Joe Biden travels to the Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima Island.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Police, and a deer, stand guard as the motorcade of US President Joe Biden travels to the Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima Island.

    UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with an umbrella at the Shukkeien Garden in HiroshimaImage source, Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
    Image caption,

    The weather's been mixed and it looks like the UK prime minister brought the rain with him to Japan

    Demonstration against the G7 summit in HiroshimaImage source, Photo by KIMIMASA MAYAMA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Protesters have been demonstrating against the city's hosting of the G7 summit

    Police officers stand guard during a protest against the G7 summit in HiroshimaImage source, REUTERS/Androniki Christodoulou
    Image caption,

    Police officers standing guard in the city during protests

  3. Oysters, soup...and chicken grunt: What are the G7 leaders having for dinner?published at 12:50 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    While Zelensky meets with Saudi officials, the G7 leaders are having a working dinner at a ryokan in Hiroshima.

    The traditional inns usually have communal baths, serve food and have rooms for relaxing.

    Here's what's on the menu:

    Delicacies of Seto / Muko Hassun

    • Steamed Nomi oysters, with yuki caviar
    • Marinated Japanese tiger prawn
    • Genpei-yaki grilled bamboo shoots
    • Toji-agé deep-fried higashi-gani crab, milt monaka, okra, corn

    Ichiju Issai

    • Clear soup with sea bream, matsutake mushrooms
    • Arrowroot, bracken, green yuzu

    Hirawan and Awasebachi

    • Simmered stonefish, golden-simmered slipper lobster
    • Winter melon, udo, samurai scallion

    Tomezakana and Gohan

    • Ajiro-grilled chicken grunt (a type of fish), red sea urchin and uruka eggplant
    • Yoshiwa wasabi, Ayutade water pepper
    • Anago eel sushi, flowering myoga, fresh ginger

    Hiroshima Sweets

    • Steamed Habutae of Bizen Dainagon Adzuki Beans and Wasanbon, flavoured with Seto soy sauce
    • Momiji Manju steamed buns, Miyoshi-mai Kaminari rice crackers, Hassaku orange daifuku
    Chicken gruntImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Chicken grunt is also known as isaki

  4. Postpublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Travel Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has undertaken since Russia's invasion in February 2022Image source, .

    The map above shows the extensive travel Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has undertaken since Russia's invasion in February 2022 as he tries to garner political support for his country.

  5. Saudi officials greet Zelenskypublished at 12:18 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Media caption,

    Ukrainian President Zelensky arrives in Saudi Arabia (this clip has no sound)

    We've got new images of Ukraine's president meeting with Saudi officials after his plane touched down earlier.

    In a message shared on Volodymyr Zelensky's Telegram account, the president said he would meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Zelensky also plans to speak at the Arab League summit.

  6. Analysis

    Why Zelensky is in Saudi Arabiapublished at 12:00 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Raffi Berg
    BBC Online Middle East editor

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is making a surprise appearance at the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia before he is rumoured to travel to the G7 in Japan.

    It is part of a diplomatic offensive to garner support for Ukraine, especially from countries which are friendly towards Russia.

    Of all the 22 Arab League members, only Syria has openly supported Russia’s invasion – and its president, Bashar al-Assad, is making his first appearance at the summit since being shunned when the war in Syria began 12 years ago.

    Regional power Saudi Arabia, which invited Zelensky, has walked a delicate line on the war in Ukraine.

    It has supported a UN resolution calling for Russia to withdraw and pledged $400m (£320m) in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

    At the same time, Saudi Arabia has resisted the West’s approach of imposing sanctions on Russia, with whom it has kept up warm relations, preferring to see itself as neutral on the conflict.

  7. Sunak's socks rock Japanese social mediapublished at 11:51 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Sakiko Shiraishi
    in Hiroshima

    Many people in Hiroshima and on Japanese social media have been reacting to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's socks.

    At the working dinner between the UK and Japan last night, Sunak took off his shoes and stepped on to a tatami mat, revealing red socks with the logo of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

    The Carp is a Japanese professional baseball team based in Hiroshima and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is a big fan.

    Fumio Kishida pointing at Rishi Sunak's socksImage source, UK in Japan

    Japanese social media users said "the likability level exploded" and "I was surprised at how well-prepared the British were".

    One sock shop in Hiroshima tweeted, "Can there be any happier news?" with a crying face emoji.

    The British Embassy in Tokyo tweeted pictures of the two leaders gleefully pointing to Sunak's socks, external, saying "the two prime ministers are growing closer".

  8. In pictures: Leaders enjoying the Itsukushima Shrinepublished at 11:43 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    UK PM Rishi Sunak takes a selfie as the leaders board a ship toward to the Itsukushima ShrineImage source, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan/HANDOUT via REUTERS
    Image caption,

    UK PM Rishi Sunak takes a selfie as the G7 leaders board a ship toward to the Itsukushima Shrine

    Leaders are arriving for the 'family' photo at the Itsukushima ShrineImage source, Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
    Image caption,

    The G7 leaders arrive for the 'family' photo

    The group posed for photographers against the backdrop of the shrine, water and mountainImage source, Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
    Image caption,

    The group posed for photographers against the backdrop of the shrine, water and mountain

  9. WATCH: G7 leaders' awkward wave during group photopublished at 11:32 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Jack Burgess
    BBC News Live reporter

    Media caption,

    The G7's leaders appear unsure whether to wave in front of the Itsukushima shrine

    This is the moment the G7 leaders gathered on the final day of the summit to pose for a group 'family photo' in front of the Itsukushima shrine on Miyajima island, which is just off the coast of Hiroshima.

    As the Group of Seven stood in line they appeared unsure whether to wave collectively, resulting in an awkward mix of waves, gestures and (in French President Emmanuel Macron's case) straight arms.

    The two extra people stood next to the G7 leaders are European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

    Read more about the extra guests at this year's summit here.

  10. Ukraine President Zelensky arrives in Saudi Arabiapublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 19 May 2023
    Breaking

    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has tweeted, external, saying he's beginning his first-ever visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia "to enhance bilateral relations".

    Zelensky says he will be at the Arab League summit to discuss the return of all "political prisoners in Crimea and temporarily-occupied territories, a formula for peace and energy co-operation".

    There has been speculation about whether Zelensky will attend the G7 summit on Sunday, after a Ukrainian official reported the president would be there in person.

  11. Nuclear safety a major concern for G7published at 11:07 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    With the leaders at dinner, let's pivot back to the Ukraine statement G7 released earlier.

    It covers a range of issues and one that stands out is nuclear safety.

    Here's a line taken from the first page of the six-page document.

    Quote Message

    Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, undermining of arms control regimes, and stated intent to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus are dangerous and unacceptable."

    The statement goes on to say the G7 "expressed their gravest concern over Russia’s grossly irresponsible seizure and militarisation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant".

    The leaders agreed to continue supporting the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) efforts to strengthen nuclear safety and security in Ukraine.

  12. The 'family' picture is taken, now it's time for dinnerpublished at 11:00 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    The leaders of G7 have just taken their official 'family' picture.

    Now, the group is heading to a traditional ryokan inn for a working dinner.

  13. Japanese pageantry on display as G7 leaders visit shrinepublished at 10:45 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Tessa Wong
    in Hiroshima

    G7 leaders

    G7 leaders are now visiting the Itsukushima shrine on Miyajima island, which is just off the coast of Hiroshima.

    One of the most famous tourist spots in Japan, it is known for its "floating" torii gate out on the water, where the leaders have posed for a picture as the sun sets

    They were ferried across the bay to the 900-year-old shinto shrine, where the goddess of the sun and her brother are worshipped as deities to "ensure the well-being of the imperial family, guard the nation and protect seafarers", according to the shrine's website.

    As the leaders walk around the shrine, musicians play a type of religious music known as gagaku that is normally played during special ceremonies.

    It is a full-fledged display of tradition and pageantry, what Japan often does best.

    Additional reporting by Sakiko Shiraishi.

  14. G7 leaders demand complete withdrawal of Russian troopspublished at 10:20 British Summer Time 19 May 2023
    Breaking

    Chris Mason
    Political editor, reporting from Hiroshima

    G7 summit in JapanImage source, Getty Images

    The leaders statement has now been published by the Japanese hosts here in Hiroshima.

    The G7 demands that Russia "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraws its troops and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine".

    It adds that "a just peace cannot be realised without the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment and this must be included in any call for peace".

    The leaders say "our support for Ukraine will not waver" and the countries "stand together against Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine".

  15. WATCH: G7 leaders lay wreaths at Hiroshima peace memorialpublished at 10:11 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    This is the moment world leaders from the G7 (Group of Seven) nations gathered together to lay flowers at Hiroshima's peace memorial in Japan.

    The wreaths were in tribute to victims of the World War Two atomic bomb attack on the city.

    About 140,000 people were killed in the attack.

  16. G7 sanctions to target Russian 'war machine'published at 09:59 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    We're hearing more details now on G7's new sanctions against Russia.

    In a statement, leaders from the Group of Seven nations said they would "starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine".

    The measures will restrict the export of items "critical to Russia on the battlefield".

    Sanctions will also target groups accused of moving material to the front for Moscow.

    Earlier, we reported the G7 had agreed on further sanctions against Moscow and had renewed its commitment to providing "financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support" to Ukraine.

    We'll bring you more details on the specifics of these sanctions as we get them.

  17. Official statement talks only of 'online' Zelensky presence in Japanpublished at 09:46 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Earlier, Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would visit the G7 summit in Japan in person.

    "The physical presence of our president is absolutely important in order to defend our interests," he said.

    We've since heard that Zelensky will visit the Arab League in Saudi Arabia before heading to Japan. Indian media is also reporting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Zelensky in Hiroshima, and Japanese media - quoting sources - say Zelensky will arrive on Saturday night.

    However, a new official statement from Danilov's department (in Ukrainian) mentions only an online presence., external

  18. Don't go anywhere without your accreditationpublished at 09:36 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Chris Mason
    Political editor, reporting from Hiroshima

    International summits are a curious mix of the theatrical, diplomatic and administrative. Firstly, their scale. They are a huge undertaking, with massive security.

    Little wonder: a collection of world leaders, in the same place, at the same time, at a long before advertised event. And so the skies swarm with helicopters.

    The streets are packed with lanyard wearing attendees, clutching their all-important accreditation for fear that without it, even crossing a road might prove impossible.

    I spotted two of my colleagues in the travelling British press pack out on a jog earlier, in the driving rain. Shorts and T shirts on, yellow G7 lanyards still hanging around their necks.

    Pity the poor residents of Hiroshima suddenly unable to take their normal route to work or wherever, because of road closures.

    Then there is the theatre.

    At the heart of politics are people. Personal relationships matter in politics and diplomacy just as they do in any other walk of life.

    And politicians, in particular, have audiences back home to address, images to burnish and impressions to leave.

    And so there are the theatrical moments, such as Rishi Sunak wearing the red socks of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp baseball team, whose fans include the host of the Summit - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

    Then, there is the diplomacy. In the weeks and months before a summit, diplomats for each country discuss their own outlooks and those of others, to try to find common ground.

    These diplomats are known as sherpas. They lead the way to the Summit.

    The political leaders then come together for a marathon series of talks – in big groups and one on one – and at the end, usually, what emerges is called a communique – the agreed conclusions.

    Often broad, often vague, they attempt to take account of every country’s position, emphasis and focus, on various issues. The aim being ongoing discussions can build upon them.

    Right, where’s my lanyard?

  19. Russian prime minister is visiting China next weekpublished at 09:07 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Mikhail MishustinImage source, Getty Images

    As the G7 leaders agree on more sanctions against Moscow and get ready to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Hiroshima, Russian officials are also getting ready to meet with their allies.

    Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is visiting China on 23 - 24 May, with the Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Wopke Hoekstra also visiting next week.

  20. Zelensky to attend Arab League summit - reportspublished at 08:53 British Summer Time 19 May 2023
    Breaking

    We're hearing more about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's movements now ahead of his anticipated arrival in Hiroshima for the G7 summit.

    Reports are emerging that he's on his way to the Arab League meeting in Saudi Arabia, according to sources cited by Reuters.

    The news agency says that Zelensky will fly on a French government plane to Japan after a stop-off in Jeddah.