As he prepares to attend the G7 conference in Japan, Volodymyr Zelensky has accused certain Arab leaders of "turning a blind eye" to Russia's incursion.
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The Ukrainian president is rumored to travel to Hiroshima on Sunday in an effort to increase military backing for an upcoming counteroffensive.
Mr. Zelensky attended an Arab League summit on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
Only Syria has openly endorsed Russia's invasion among the Arab League countries.
Other members have worked to keep things cordial with Moscow.
"Unfortunately, there are some around the world and among you who turn a blind eye to those [prisoner of war] cages and illegal annexations," Mr. Zelensky stated.
"I'm here so that everyone can look at it honestly. There must still be independence, no matter how hard the Russians try to influence us."
In addition, Mr. Zelensky reportedly referred to the Arab world's own history of invasion and occupation when he informed the gathered leaders in Jeddah that his nation was defending itself from colonizers and imperialists.
Saudi Arabia, the host country, has straddled a fine line on the conflict, supporting a UN resolution calling for Russia to withdraw its troops and committing $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine while simultaneously resisting imposing sanctions on Russia and preferring to position itself as neutral.
While his office has not officially confirmed the visit, it is anticipated that the head of Ukraine would fly from Saudi Arabia to the G7 summit.
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BBC News
On Friday, the G7 summit got underway with a renewed denunciation of Russia and the imposition of further penalties.
The US, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan are the world's richest democracies, and together they make up the group of seven countries. Eight additional nations, including Australia and India, have also been invited this year.
On the first day of the summit, the G7 leaders increased the penalties against Russia.
Since the conflict broke out in February 2022, Mr. Zelensky hasn't ventured very far from Kyiv, and this journey, like others outside of Ukraine, could endanger his safety.
The danger, though, is seen as worthwhile if it results in his receiving greater support in his conflict with Russia.
"A person does not always feel and understand what is happening on the territory of our country when they are far away, over the ocean, or in another location. According to Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's influential National Security and Defence Council, the actual presence of our president at such events is crucial.
Mr. Zelensky has recently traveled to Italy, Germany, France, and the UK, where he secured commitments of military support. He also keeps pressing partners to give Ukraine cutting-edge fighter jets, but nobody has made a direct commitment to do so.
When he gets to Hiroshima, he'll presumably try to persuade more circumspect leaders to offer assistance, including Narendra Modi of India and Fumio Kishida of Japan.
According to John Kirton, director of the G7 Research Group think tank, "By showing up in person, it is a chance for him to ensure he does not come away empty-handed, and that he will head back to Kyiv with his arms full with the weapons deals that he wants," including a pledge of lethal weapons from Japan.
Despite its strong sympathies for Ukraine, Japan has so far only sent non-lethal defense gear due to its rigorous military rules.
G7 leaders were greeted by Mr. Kishida earlier on Friday at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park where they placed wreaths in memory of those who lost their lives in the US atomic bombs that accelerated the conclusion of World War Two.
Member nations promised "new steps" to stop the conflict in Ukraine and additional sanctions to "increase the costs to Russia and those who are supporting its war effort" in a statement that was released at the summit's conclusion on the first day.
They threatened to "starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine" and cut back on the amount of money the country received from the sale of energy and diamonds.
Separately, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the BBC that the UK would impose sanctions on the Russian diamond business in addition to other individuals and organizations linked to Vladimir Putin in Russia.
A communiqué on the conflict in Ukraine is anticipated to conclude the summit, which ends on Sunday.
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