Zelensky, charismatic in his signature green camouflage uniform, will presumably prove that his country’s survival depends on a steady flow of money and advanced weaponry from the US and its allies.

recent vote Showing that Americans are tired of the war and eager to see an end date. Russia has failed to quickly conquer its smaller neighbor, but has shown no signs of preparing to withdraw. Kyiv did not intend to surrender either.Ukraine is Prepare to counterattack to retake occupied lands and demonstrate what Western support can do on the battlefield.

Biden last saw Zelensky during a surprise visit to Kiev three months ago, when he vowed the U.S. would stand with Ukraine “As long as needed.”

The open-ended pledge will test Americans’ resolve and patience during election season as the Biden administration spends billions of dollars to help Ukraine keep fighting.

The war is considered an issue in the 2024 presidential race. Republican front-runner Donald Trump did not say he wanted Ukraine to win, but said at a recent CNN town hall that if elected, he would wrap up within 24 hours by meeting with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. conflict.

An unexpected domestic issue looms over Biden’s trip: Washington’s counterattack on the debt ceiling.

Biden had planned to visit Papua New Guinea and Australia as part of an effort to unite U.S. allies and contain China’s growing influence in the Pacific. He canceled those trips so he could return to the White House on Sunday to continue negotiations on raising the debt ceiling and avoiding an unprecedented default that could have global repercussions.

“It’s a small miracle that Biden continues his trip to Hiroshima,” said Daniel Russell, the former director of Asian affairs in the Obama administration. “I’m glad he did and we should all be praying this [debt ceiling fight] Get wrapped up because the consequences will be devastating — and not just for everyone in America. “

Zelensky to attend summit Prepare to make this war even more costly for Russia.

Biden attended a war-themed working lunch on Friday — documents spread across a round table with each country’s flag in the background. The meeting was attended by the leaders of Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Commission and the European Council.

A Biden administration official told reporters on Thursday that the G7 countries would take steps to isolate Russia, including closing loopholes that allow Russia to evade sanctions, reducing reliance on Russian energy, freezing assets and further restricting exports to Russia.

“Our commitment to continue to increase pressure on Russia is as strong as it was last year,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. “So I think … you’re going to see new measures to isolate Russia economically and reduce its ability to wage war.”

In addition to the sanctions, Zelensky has demanded the use of advanced F-16 fighter jets to help repel Russian forces. The Biden administration has so far refused to provide the planes, citing concerns that weapons capable of reaching Russian territory could escalate the war.But America has invite ukrainian pilots Train in a simulator to gauge how long it will take them to learn to fly the plane.

At the summit, Zelensky will have a new opportunity to push the jets.

“It was very helpful,” Russell said of Zelensky’s visit. “If the industrialized nations get tired of Ukraine before Russia gets tired of war and fighting, then there is a big problem. Zelensky has done a great job of making sure the world sees the status quo and doesn’t get burnt out and tired.”

The summit’s location symbolizes a deadly threat, a daily concern for Ukraine and Asian nations living in the shadow of nuclear-armed China and North Korea.

During World War II, the United States razed Hiroshima to the ground with an atomic bomb. On Friday morning, Biden and his counterparts visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and met with a woman who survived the attack.

In a park outside, leaders laid wreaths and planted a tree overlooking the remains of a once-dome building, which Japan has preserved as a reminder of the bomb’s toll.

Darina Meyer contributed.