TOKYO: A visiting Ukrainian expert voiced expectations Wednesday that President Volodymyr Zelensky will take part in person in the summit of Group of Seven major democracies to be held in the western Japan city of Hiroshima in May.

Meeting the press together with other Ukrainian experts at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Alyona Getmanchuk, a think tank director, called on Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio to visit Ukraine, as Japan holds the G7 presidency this year.

She also expressed hopes that Zelensky will join the Hiroshima summit in person.

She said Zelensky’s attendance will require an invitation from Kishida and would depend on the course of the war in his country, adding that the president should seriously consider his attendance if invited.

Last month, Zelensky visited the United States via Poland on his first foreign trip since Russia’s invasion began.

At the press conference, Getmanchuk also said that Ukraine needs weapons for victory in the war.

But from Japan, she sought nonmilitary support, such as for removing mines and ensuring nuclear plant safety, noting that she respects the country’s legal restrictions on military assistance.

JIJI Press