Ukraine envoy is optimistic Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will visit Kyiv before May

The ambassador said security concerns are also a priority in disucssions about Zelenskyy’s potential visit to the Japanese city of Hiroshima, home to the site of the world’s first atomic bombing.

If extended an invite from G-7 nations, the ambassador said Zelenskyy would “carefully consider this opportunity, taking into account … issues of logistics and security.”

He added Zelenskyy would have to consider “possible provocations” before making the trip.

“To fly to Japan is different than to fly to the United States. When you fly in the west direction, you fly over friendly territory,” he said. “If you fly into the East, you have to carefully consider every possible provocations,” he said.

Korsunsky noted a potential trip by Zelenskyy to Hiroshima would carry symbolic significance given that Ukraine faces “credible threats” similar to that of the atomic bombings on Japan during World War II.

“Japan experienced as well nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and that’s a threat which now exists, with a credible threat against Ukraine,” he said.

“If President Zelenskyy personally will attend summit in Hiroshima, that will be an extremely powerful message to the world, about the intentions of the G-7 to fight against nuclear terrorists in any form,” he said.

When asked about U.S. fears that China could provide lethal weapons to Russia, Korsunsky said, “China must understand this is a red line which cannot be crossed.”

“You shouldn’t open Pandora’s box with nuclear friends,” he said. “I want to hope that China will change its attitude once the clear picture of atrocities committed by Russia becomes more clear,” he said.

The ambassador however remained skeptical of such plans leading to tangible actions.

“Even if such discussions are happening somewhere in Beijing’s political circles, I believe they will go nowhere,” he said.