The G7 group of major economies will unveil further sanctions and export controls targeting Russia over its war against Ukraine, as it was announced that the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, would attend the Hiroshima summit in person, writes The Guardian.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, now in its second year, will be high on the agenda as G7 leaders gathered in Hiroshima on Friday. The US has spearheaded tough sanctions on Russian companies, banks and individuals; the forthcoming announcements are designed to reaffirm world powers’ resolve to support Ukraine and squeeze Moscow.

A US official, speaking to reporters ahead of the gathering, said the G7’s latest efforts were aimed at disrupting Russia’s ability to get materials it needs for the battlefield, close loopholes used to evade sanctions, further reduce international reliance on Russian energy, and narrow Moscow’s access to the international financial system.

“Our commitment to continue tightening the screws on Russia remains as strong as it was last year”, - a US official said.

Zelenskiy will arrive in Japan for the summit on Sunday, according to a top Ukrainian official.

“Very important things will be decided there and therefore the presence of our president … is absolutely essential in order to defend our interests”, - Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, told state television.