G-7 summit kicks off in Japan with leaders historic visit to Hiroshima museum

By Anadolu Staff

ANKARA (AA) - The G-7 Summit kicked off Friday in Japan following a joint visit to the Hiroshima museum, which commemorates the world's first nuclear attack carried out by the US in 1945.

The summit is being hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Also in attendance are, US President Joe Biden, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Council head Charles Michel, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Leaders from Australia, India, Indonesia, and South Korea are also invited to attend the summit.

According to the agenda, the G-7 leaders will discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and issues of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, climate and energy, food, health, gender, human rights, digitalization, and science and technology.

"For the victory of Ukraine and the return of peace based on law. For the solidarity we owe to the populations who struggle against poverty. To set an example and support our partners who are committed to the planet," Macron wrote on Twitter.

According to Japanese media, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to participate in the summit in person which will continue from Friday to Sunday.

- Visit to Peace Memorial Park

The G-7 leaders for the first time jointly visited the Peace Memorial Park, a museum located in Hiroshima which is dedicated to documenting the world's first nuclear attack, according to Kyodo News Agency.

The first atomic bomb dropped by the United States on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, killed an estimated number of 70,000 people instantly with many thousands more dying over the following years from the effects of radiation

"What happened in Hiroshima continues to haunt humanity. Here we remember the terrible cost of war. And we are reminded of our duty to preserve peace," von der Leyen tweeted.

UK Prime Minister Sunak also called his visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as significant.

"It was deeply moving to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park which holds such significance. This Summit carries the weight of history and it’s important that we learn from the past, including from its darkest moments," he said.

- Ban on diamond import from Russia

Ahead of the summit, the European Union and UK announced plans to sanction Russian diamonds.

"We will continue to provide strong military, political, humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine." EU Council President Charles Michel said, adding that the EU and its member states have provided more than 70 billion euros ($75 billion) in aid to Ukraine so far.

Sunak said the UK is banning all imports of Russian diamonds.

"Ensuring Ukraine wins is the most important thing we can do for global peace and security. We are banning all imports of Russian diamonds, copper, aluminum and nickel. Sanctions are having a clear impact in degrading Putin’s war effort." he said.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid​​​​​​​