Zelenskyy to attend G7 summit in Hiroshima as leaders eye new sanctions against Russia

Canada, the U.S. and the rest of Group of Seven allies planned to unveil new sanctions and export controls against individuals and companies supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

The gathering of the world's major democratic economies will also hear from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who will attend in person, according to a senior Ukrainian official.

Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, confirmed on national television Fridday that Zelenskyy would attend the summit on Sunday.

In his nightly address to his people Thursday, Zelenskyy said he is seeking more modern weapons from the country's allies.

"Our priorities for this week, next week, and for the near future are additional air defence systems, additional missiles, training and aircraft, and long-range weapons," Zelenskyy said.

"And this will be fulfilled."

The Biden administration has signalled to European allies that the U.S. would allow them to export F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, CNN reported late Thursday, on the eve of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

The network quoted unnamed senior administration officials, who added that they weren't aware of any allied country that has asked for permission to export the 4th generation warplanes, which are more advanced than what Ukranian pilots currently fly.

The leaders have arrived and Prime MInister Justin Trudeau has held a series of bilateral meetings, including with the host leader Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with whom he raised the issue of curbs and discrimination against gay couples in that country.

"Obviously, Canada is concerned about some of the positioning that Italy is taking in terms of LGBT rights, but I look forward to talking about that," Trudeau said.

Meloni responded that her government is following court decisions and is not deviating from previous administrations.

The war in Ukraine, however, was the dominant theme Friday.

A senior Canadian official, speaking on background, said early Friday that the sanctions Canada plans to unveil will target 17 people and 18 Russian companies that "provide military technology." A further 30 individuals are being sanctioned for human rights violations.

It comes at a crucial time as allied military observers have noted Russia's increased use of new hypersonic missiles in air attacks on Ukraine — a possible sign of increased production.