According to Emmanuel Macron, the presence of the Ukrainian president at the summit constitutes “a unique opportunity” to exchange with his allies, but also to plead the cause of Ukraine against the Russian invasion with the leaders of the countries of the South present.
Volodymyr Zelensky, in the midst of a diplomatic offensive, received the support of Emmanuel Macron. Guest of the G7 summit, the Ukrainian president arrived in Hiroshima, Japan, on Saturday May 20, aboard an official French plane. According to an Elysian source at France Télévisions, it was kyiv who sought help from Paris on Wednesday. The Ukrainian presidency asked France to ensure Thursday the displacement of the head of state from the Polish border to Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, where the summit of the Arab League was held, before joining Japan, according to the ‘Elysium.
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On the occasion of this short diplomatic tour mobilizing French logistical aid, Volodymyr Zelensky and his advisers were accompanied by the diplomat Isabelle Dumont, former ambassador to kyiv and thus strong in a long-standing relationship with the Ukrainian head of state, said the same source.
France alongside Ukraine “to the end”
“France is on the side of Volodymyr Zelensky, is on the side of Ukraine, and therefore favors all the diplomatic actions that help the Ukrainians”abounded the deputy Renaissance Sylvain Maillard, guest of franceinfo. “It’s a pride” for France to be “originally” of Volodymyr Zelensky’s presence at the G7, he added.
According to the Elysian source, Volodymyr Zelensky chose to go to France because of the longevity of the relationship he has with Emmanuel Macron. On Sunday, the Ukrainian president was received by his French counterpart for a dinner at the Elysée. Already, the idea of his coming to the summit of his main Western allies is already “in conversation”according to this source in the entourage of Emmanuel Macron.
The two heads of state met in Hiroshima on Saturday afternoon. The presence of the Ukrainian president at the G7 summit “can be a game changer” for Ukraine, declared the French president to his counterpart, also promising him that France would stand alongside kyiv “until the end”. “Thank you for your support”, replied the latter.
A “French initiative”
“It’s a unique opportunity” for Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss with his G7 allies, but also to plead the cause of Ukraine against the Russian invasion with the various leaders of the countries of the South invited to the summit. “We were able to convince the Japanese presidency” of the G7 “not only to invite President Zelensky to Hiroshima, but to allow him to exchange” with these emerging countries, during a session scheduled for Sunday at the end of the summit, added this source, welcoming the“a French initiative”.
Volodymyr Zelensky thus chained bilateral meetings with G7 officials: the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, thus assured him that India would “everything possible” to settle the conflict in Ukraine. According to the French presidency, the Brazilian president, Lula, “showed great availability for dialogue” and also intends to meet with the Ukrainian President.