President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. In a gesture of gratitude, President Zelenskyy awarded PM Kishida the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise.
“This award is not only from me – it’s from the entire Ukrainian people,” Zelenskyy stated, acknowledging Japan’s steadfast support since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Japan’s financial and humanitarian aid, totaling over €12 billion. Discussions focused on strengthening sanctions against Russia and closing loopholes used to evade them.
The leaders addressed cooperation with G7 and EU partners to establish a mechanism for securing $50 billion from frozen Russian assets. Japan announced preparations for a new energy assistance package, including transformers, generators, and other equipment.
PM Kishida emphasized the broader implications of the Russian war against Ukraine, stating, “Today’s Ukraine may be tomorrow’s East Asia.” He stressed Japan’s commitment to opposing unilateral changes to the status quo through force.
The meeting underscores the growing international support for Ukraine and highlights the strategic importance of the conflict beyond Europe. It also demonstrates Japan’s increasing role in global security matters and its solidarity with Ukraine in face of ongoing challenges.
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