Negotiating a stronger sanctions regimepublished at 08:39 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

08:39 BST 19 May 2023

Nick Marsh
in Hiroshima

From the G7’s point of view, the focus this weekend will be on how to hurt Russia economically, and therefore militarily.

There are reports that Washington is pushing for a ban on all exports to Russia, unless they have specific exemption. But Europe is much more reliant on Russian trade than the US - so an all-out ban is unlikely to be agreed.

That leaves the option of more sanctions on the table or possibly tighter ones - with an emphasis on "third country" loopholes. Countries in Central Asia, for example, have been accused of helping Russia evade sanctions.

But those third country crackdowns could get very complicated. What about Indian firms that buy Russian oil or Chinese companies doing business with Russia? Should G7 countries go after them?

Despite political differences, they are still very important trading partners. The web of global trade and connectivity can be quite fraught - and that’s what the leaders will be dealing with in the coming days.

We've seen a statement from G7 leaders from the Reuters news agency, where they “reaffirmed commitment to stand together against Russia's illegal unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine”.

And it added that the leaders agreed on more sanctions on Moscow:

"We are renewing our commitment to provide the financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support Ukraine requires for as long as it takes.

"We are imposing further sanctions and measures to increase the costs to Russia and those who are supporting its war effort. We are also building on the success of our efforts to ensure that Russia is no longer able to weaponise the availability of energy against the world."

The statement also said that "Russian troops' complete and unconditional withdrawal" is required for peace.

Image source, PA Media

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has spoken with our political editor Chris Mason at the G7 Summit, where he expressed hope that more countries will follow the UK and US in sanctioning Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

"I'm hopeful and confident that our partner countries will follow as they have done when we've done this previously," Sunak said.

"That will make the sanctions more effective and ensure that Russia pays a price for its illegal activity."

The UK government said it was also planning to target 86 more people and companies connected to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including people who are "actively undermining the impact of existing sanctions".

We are hearing more about Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Japan for the G7 summit.

Associated Press says the Ukrainian president is set to appear virtually at a Friday meeting of G7 leaders, where they are to be updated on battlefield conditions.

And he is expected to be in person Japan on Sunday.

Image source, Reuters

More now from Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council on President Zelensky's visit to Japan.

"Who would doubt that our president will not be present there? We were sure that our president would definitely be in any part of the world, where the country needs him, in order to solve the issue of stability of our country," he said on Ukrainian TV.

"This is the first. The second thing about this summit: very important things will be taken there. And that is why the physical presence of our president is absolutely important in order to defend our interests, to explain, to provide clear proposals and clear arguments for the events taking place on the territory of our country.

"Because when a person is somewhere far away, across the ocean, somewhere else, they do not always feel and understand what is happening on the territory of our country. It is the physical presence of our president that is extremely important at such events."

Image source, Getty Images

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called for a "frank and strategic discussion" on issues such as climate change and the war in Ukraine.

"The G7, as a body sharing fundamental values, must respond effectively to the important problems of the international society and lead the world," Kishida said as he welcomed the G7 leaders to Hiroshima.

He alluded to two "pillars" for this: a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and strengthening involvement with international partners beyond the G7.

Laura Bicker
in Hiroshima

Image source, PA

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is dominating G7 headlines even before he arrives.

He’s decided to travel thousands of miles to Hiroshima – a calculated security risk which he must believe is worth taking.

“Very important things will be decided there,” said Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council.

“The presence of our president is absolutely essential in order to defend our interests.”

Zelensky has already laid the groundwork for his G7 address. In the last ten days he has travelled to Italy, Germany, France and the UK to make sure they had his talking points in hand before they flew to Hiroshima.

The Ukrainian leader has told his western allies that he wants a "jets coalition".

So far, he’s had a commitment from the UK that they will help train pilots – but he will want more than that.

Ideally, he wants combat jets.

He may also want to pull aside the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida who plans to double his country’s defence budget over the next five years.

Japan has drawn a clear line on the war in Ukraine, joining with other G7 nations to impose sanctions on Russia. Mr Kishida visited Ukraine in March and has pledged additional $5.5bn (£4.4bn) in support.

Zelensky will hope that an impassioned plea in person in a Japanese city that has already suffered the horrors of war will have an impact – and prompt world leaders to offer not just aid, but more weapons to help push back Russian troops and end this prolonged conflict.

Earlier, an EU official had said that G7 leaders would also discuss a proposal for a Ukraine peace summit this weekend.

It is hoped any such summit would bolster support for Ukraine, as the war enters its 16th month.

Ukraine has put forward a 10-point proposal for peace. Chinese officials also visited Kyiv this week to promote their own 12-step plan to end the conflict, which requires less from Russia.

Kyiv told Beijing's envoy they wouldn't accept any loss of territory for a peace deal.

President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Japan for the G7, a Ukrainian security official has told state television according to a Reuters report.

"Very important things will be decided there and it is therefore the presence of our president that is absolutely essential in order to defend our interests," Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, said.

Image source, Reuters

The first pictures have rolled out of the leaders' working lunch. The G7 are expected to discuss regional issues today.

The G7 powers this weekend are focused on squeezing Russia and re-affirming their support for Ukraine, particularly as it's expected the country may launch a Spring counter-offensive.

Last week Ukraine's president told the BBC his military needed more time and hardware before they can launch an attack to gain back some occupied territory.

Watch his remarks in full below:

Following a flurry of reports saying Ukraine's president will attend the G7 summit in person on Sunday, his office has declined to comment.

A representative refused to confirm media stories which cite unnamed sources. Iryna Pobedonostseva would only say that there were "various options".

Zelensky had already been scheduled to deliver a video address to the G7 leaders on Sunday - but there had been great speculation that he might make a visit.

Image source, EPA

The G7 leaders are now heading to their first formal lunch and meetings - the Hiroshima summit is about to get into full swing. Here's a recap of what's happened so far:

• The leaders laid wreaths at Hiroshima's peace memorial, in tribute to victims of the WW2 atomic bomb attack
• Japanese PM Fumio Kishida welcomed the visitors. He has pushed for nuclear disarmament talks to be high on the agenda this weekend

• But Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war remains the dominant topic
• There are reports Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky could attend the summit in person on Sunday - but this has not been confirmed
• And the US, UK and EU have all flagged increasing sanctions on Russia
• Relations with China will also be a key topic, as G7 leaders look to ensure a "free and open Indo-Pacific region"

• As with previous G7 summits, protesters objecting to the group have gathered, with many chanting anti-war slogans near the leaders this morning.

Image source, Getty Images

We've mentioned the US' push on sanctions. The UK has also announced new measures, targeting Russian diamonds.

Imports of the precious stones will be banned as part of a broader package of increased sanctions, the UK government announced on Thursday.

Imports of Russian-mined copper, aluminium and nickel will also be prohibited under new legislation to be introduced later this year.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the UK must show "violence and coercion do not reap rewards" for Russia.

The Russian diamond industry was worth $4bn (£3.2bn) in exports in 2021.

Both the US and the EU have announced similar sanctions on Russia - with US President Joe Biden setting out plans to ban Russian diamonds, seafood and vodka last year.

Last year the UK, US, Canada and Japan also banned imports of Russian gold in an effort to hit the country's ability to fund the war in Ukraine.

Read more here.

The G7 this year is perhaps more accurately a G15 summit.

Host country Japan has expanded the invite list to include Australia, India, Brazil, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Comoros (representing the African Union) and the Cook Islands (representing the Pacific Islands Forum).

Among Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's goals for the summit are showing a "united front" on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and responding to China's increasing show of military force in the Indo Pacific.

But the additional guests could make achieving those more difficult - many of the countries have complex political and economic ties to both Russia and China.

BBC Correspondent Laura Bicker, who is in Hiroshima for the summit, explains.

Here's footage of the leaders at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park this morning, where they toured the museum and laid flower wreaths at a shine to victims.

Eri Okazaki
in Hiroshima

Marching down a shotengai (shopping arcade) just a few dozen steps from where the leaders are, protesters are chanting anti-war slogans.

"No to the summit. No to war," cry the protesters, who are wearing face masks and raincoats and are surrounded by Hiroshima police.

The G7 countries all have nuclear arms or agreements with those who are equipped.

The leaders have now visited the peace memorial at the site, where they took turns laying wreaths at the Hiroshima cenotaph.

Afterwards they stood in a line with their heads bowed, paying respects to the estimated 140,000 people killed in the attack and its aftermath.

Image source, Reuters

There are now reports that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky will make an in-person visit this weekend.

This is according to media outlets Bloomberg and The Financial Times, who cite unnamed sources.

We knew Ukraine's leader was expected to address the G7 leaders on Sunday, but via video link - though there had been speculation that he might turn up in person.

The US is hoping their fresh sanctions on Russia - which are set to be announced at the summit - will convince the other G7 countries to increase theirs.

Washington says the new measures - which include banning 70 entities from receiving US exports as well as another 300 new sanctions on other individuals or entities - are aimed at crippling Moscow’s "war machine" in Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine, now in its 15th month, is at the top of the summit agenda and countries which haven't been openly critical of Russia - such as additional guest India - may be under pressure to act. India has declined to adhere to Western sanctions on Russian imports.

So far, the EU and the UK have flagged they will crack down on Russian diamonds. A US government spokesperson told media this morning they expect all G7 members will unveil new measures over the weekend.