The leaders of the Group of Seven nations have started talks in Japan's western city of Hiroshima. Issues on the agenda include the global economy, the war in Ukraine, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who is chairing the event, spoke at the beginning of the talks on Friday.

"The major theme of this summit is not division and confrontation," he said. "It is reaffirming the G7's unity and strengthening our role to ensure a coordinated international community and to hammer out active and concrete contributions to that end."

The leaders are expected to discuss sanctions on Russia and united support for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, multiple Western media outlets are quoting sources as saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.

It would be Zelenskyy's first visit to Asia since the start of Russia's invasion in February last year. He is expected to directly ask G7 leaders for more military aid. Reuters says he will arrive on Sunday.