G-7 leaders to discuss proposal of peace summit for Ukraine

BRUSSELS: A proposal for a Ukraine peace summit will be among agenda items at the upcoming Group of Seven meeting in Japan, an European Union (EU) official said on Thursday.

Along with support to Ukraine, the G-7 countries - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US - as well as the EU are expected to exchange views on an end to Russia's war in Ukraine.

An EU official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a proposal for Ukraine peace summit will be at the table during the summit that will be hosted by Japan in Hiroshima on May 19-21.

The leaders are expected to discuss the conference in line with the 10-point peace plan proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the latest Group of 20 summit in Indonesia in 2022, according to a report by Anadolu Agency.

The 10-point plan includes restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity, withdrawal of Russian troops and cessation of hostilities, and restoration of Ukraine's state borders with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy while commenting on his recent Europe tour covering Italy, Germany, France, and the UK, said peace was discussed at all the meetings, and "now there is more willingness of our partners to follow the Ukrainian formula."

"There is more support for our accession to the EU, more understanding that Ukraine's accession to NATO will happen, it is inevitable," Zelenskyy added.

Meanwhile, China also continues its efforts to end the war in Ukraine as Beijing's Eurasian affairs envoy Li Hui met with Zelenskyy in Ukraine's capital Kyiv early Thursday.

-- BERNAMA