G7 Summit in Hiroshima Focuses on Ukraine Conflict and Looming Debt Crisis

HIROSHIMA, Japan – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held two major rounds of meetings with his biggest backers as the Group of Seven summit closed in Hiroshima on Sunday. The meetings were held to build momentum for Ukraine’s war effort, even as Russia claimed a battlefield victory that was quickly disputed by Ukraine.

At the same time, President Joe Biden made it clear Sunday that he remains far apart from congressional Republicans in budget talks. Biden said that the two sides have not been able to resolve stark differences over spending and taxes, despite intensive negotiations in recent weeks. With less than two weeks left before the nation reaches the point where it can no longer pay its debts, Biden said he planned to talk with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and hoped that the California Republican was waiting for him to return so that the two could negotiate directly and make sustained progress.

The Ukrainian leader’s in-person appearance in his trademark olive drab underscored the centrality of the war for the G7 bloc of rich democracies. Zelenskyy held two major rounds of meetings with his biggest backers, including leaders from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. During the meetings, Zelenskyy discussed the ongoing conflict with Russia and the need for international support.

The G7 summit in Hiroshima was the first time the leaders of the world’s seven largest economies had met in person since the start of the pandemic. The summit was seen as a chance for the leaders to discuss a range of issues, from the global economy to climate change. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine was a major focus of the summit, as the leaders discussed the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The meetings in Hiroshima come at a critical time for Ukraine, as the nation faces a looming debt crisis. With Biden and congressional Republicans still far apart on budget talks, it remains to be seen if the two sides can come to an agreement in time to avert a financial crisis.