Leader of wartime nation Ukraine makes surprise visit: President Zelenskyy arrives in Hiroshima, heightening tensions in city with already heavy security measures
May 21, 2023
The leader of Ukraine, a nation that is now at war and being threatened with the use of nuclear weapons, arrived in the A-bombed city of Hiroshima. On May 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set foot in Hiroshima to personally attend the summit meeting of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations). Even as tensions were increased further in the city, where strict security measures necessary for the summit were already in place, people associated with Ukraine unanimously praised Mr. Zelenskyy’s bold action, using language such as, “This is a historic moment.”
Around 3:30 p.m., an official French aircraft with Mr. Zelenskyy aboard landed at Hiroshima Airport, in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Making his appearance wearing a khaki parka, he quickly descended the plane’s stairs.
Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, the nation that invaded Ukraine, has hinted at the possible first use of nuclear weapons since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Reo Tsuneshige, 10, a fifth-grade elementary school student from Hiroshima’s Saeki Ward whose mother is Ukrainian, paid a visit to Hiroshima Airport. “I hope the president will talk in detail with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other leaders to end the war and stop Russia from using nuclear weapons.”
At the entrance to Ujina Island in the area of Ujina-machi (in Hiroshima’s Minami Ward), the location of the main summit venue of the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima, two sisters who fled from Kyiv in September last year held up the Ukraine national flag. The older sister, 20, said gleefully, “We are so pleased.” Her younger sister, 19, expressed her anticipation for the visit. “I hope he can find a path forward for holding discussions with the Russian president and avoid the use of nuclear weapons.”
A Ukrainian mother, 59, and her daughter, 35, rushed to Peace Memorial Park, in the city’s Naka Ward. “We came here just to get a glimpse. We really hope he can bring an end to the war as soon as possible,” they said.
Shortly after arriving, Mr. Zelenskyy held talks with leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and other nations. On May 21, the summit’s final day, he is scheduled to participate in summit discussions and lay flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, in Peace Memorial Park. Starting on the evening of May 20, ceremony preparations began at the park, with seating and more being set up. On the afternoon of May 21, Mr. Zelenskyy is expected to visit the park after Mr. Kishida wraps up the summit with a press conference as the representative of the host nation.
President Zelenskyy posted the tweet “Peace will become closer today” after arriving in Hiroshima. Will he find clues to the peace he tweeted about? The A-bombed city is sure to draw attention and prayers from around the world today.
(Originally published on May 21, 2023)
Around 3:30 p.m., an official French aircraft with Mr. Zelenskyy aboard landed at Hiroshima Airport, in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Making his appearance wearing a khaki parka, he quickly descended the plane’s stairs.
Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, the nation that invaded Ukraine, has hinted at the possible first use of nuclear weapons since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Reo Tsuneshige, 10, a fifth-grade elementary school student from Hiroshima’s Saeki Ward whose mother is Ukrainian, paid a visit to Hiroshima Airport. “I hope the president will talk in detail with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other leaders to end the war and stop Russia from using nuclear weapons.”
At the entrance to Ujina Island in the area of Ujina-machi (in Hiroshima’s Minami Ward), the location of the main summit venue of the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima, two sisters who fled from Kyiv in September last year held up the Ukraine national flag. The older sister, 20, said gleefully, “We are so pleased.” Her younger sister, 19, expressed her anticipation for the visit. “I hope he can find a path forward for holding discussions with the Russian president and avoid the use of nuclear weapons.”
A Ukrainian mother, 59, and her daughter, 35, rushed to Peace Memorial Park, in the city’s Naka Ward. “We came here just to get a glimpse. We really hope he can bring an end to the war as soon as possible,” they said.
Shortly after arriving, Mr. Zelenskyy held talks with leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and other nations. On May 21, the summit’s final day, he is scheduled to participate in summit discussions and lay flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, in Peace Memorial Park. Starting on the evening of May 20, ceremony preparations began at the park, with seating and more being set up. On the afternoon of May 21, Mr. Zelenskyy is expected to visit the park after Mr. Kishida wraps up the summit with a press conference as the representative of the host nation.
President Zelenskyy posted the tweet “Peace will become closer today” after arriving in Hiroshima. Will he find clues to the peace he tweeted about? The A-bombed city is sure to draw attention and prayers from around the world today.
(Originally published on May 21, 2023)
