Ukraine is exploring the possibility of new defense cooperation with Japan, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Kyodo News, highlighting areas where the countries could share technology and expertise.
Several countries have shown interest in Ukraine’s real‑world experience managing modern conflicts, from drone operations to protecting critical infrastructure. This expertise is being studied for possible training, technology exchange, and integration into broader defense strategies.
Zelenskyy suggested that joint efforts could include missile defense systems, cyber capabilities, drone development, and energy infrastructure management during crises.
Zelenskyy offers to share wartime drone and cyber expertise
“We could open a new page in our defense cooperation with Japan, sharing what we’ve learned in this war, from drones to protecting critical infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy pointed to Ukraine’s experience with maritime drones, which have been used to target Russian naval assets in the Black Sea despite the country lacking a conventional fleet. He said Kyiv is ready to share these technologies and lessons from its ongoing war.
The president also expressed readiness to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Takaiichi, either in Ukraine, Japan, or during multilateral summits, to discuss bilateral cooperation.
North Korean troops gaining modern warfare skills in Russia
Zelenskyy raised concerns about North Korean troops currently in Russia, warning that they are gaining knowledge of modern hybrid warfare, including missile and drone countermeasures, which could be brought back to Pyongyang.
The discussion of North Korea reflects regional security concerns, as Tokyo closely monitors Pyongyang’s missile programs. Japan’s interest in Ukraine’s experience is partly driven by the need to counter potential threats from North Korea.
