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| Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at Hiroshima Airport to attend the Group of Seven nations' meetings in Hiroshima, Japan, Saturday. Kyodo News via AP |
By Nam Hyun-woo
HIROSHIMA, Japan ― Attention is growing over a possible meeting between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Hiroshima, Japan, after the latter arrived in the venue for the Group of Seven (G7) Summit to ask for participating nations' support in its war against Russia.
Zelenskyy landed in Hiroshima, Saturday afternoon, for diplomatic talks with leaders participating in the G7 Summit. Upon his arrival, G7 leaders are expected to announce a series of new punishments against Russia, with the U.S. alone imposing sanctions on more than 300 targets.
Japan, the host country of the G7 Summit, has announced that Zelenskyy will participate in two separate summit sessions Sunday.
When asked about the possibility of Yoon meeting Zelenskyy, a senior official from Seoul's presidential office said "at this stage, there is nothing I can say about an envisaged meeting."
"It is assumed that there have been classified talks over the Ukrainian president's appearance at the G7 Summit, and many of these remain potentially flexible," the official said. Perhaps, I can say more tomorrow, but will not at this point, there are measures of uncertainty and flexibility at a multilateral event."
A meeting between Yoon and Zelenskyy could be a matter of international attention, because the South Korean president's recent remarks that Seoul may change its current stance and provide arms support to Kyiv drew warm welcomes from the U.S. and European nations, while triggering a furious reaction from Moscow.
On May 16, Yoon met Zelenskyy's wife, Olena Zelenska, in Seoul and expressed his intention for a coalition within global society to condemn Russia's aggression. At the time, the first lady asked for Seoul's non-lethal military aid, namely air defense radar systems.
"During a recent speech, Yoon showcased his belief and principle that he opposes any changes of the status quo by force," the presidential office said. "Whether the president meets his Ukrainian counterpart or not, South Korea's message to global society is being clearly delivered."
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