G7

February 25, 2024
Japanese
Prime Minister Kishida attending a video conference (Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Prime Minister Kishida attending a video conference (Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)

On February 25, commencing at 0:30 a.m. (JST), for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, the G7 Leaders’ Video Conference was held under the chairmanship of Italy, this year’s G7 Presidency. Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, attended the meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
The meeting was held on the occasion of the two-year anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine started on February 24, 2022. H.E. Mr. Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine, also participated at the opening of this meeting. The G7 Leaders' Statement was released following the meeting.

  1. Introduction
    1. Prime Minister Kishida stated that it is important for the G7 leaders to show solidarity with Ukraine on the occasion of the two-year anniversary of the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as the aggression has been prolonged and the harsh situation is still continuing. He paid respect to the leadership of Italian Prime Minister Meloni for today's meeting.
    2. Prime Minister Kishida recalled that the G7 has kept demonstrating its solidarity with Ukraine and determination to strongly promote sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine on various occasions including the G7 Hiroshima Summit last year when Japan held the G7 Presidency. He also stated that the G7 would like to continue to address this issue as one of its top priorities this year, as agreed when Prime Minister Meloni visited Japan in early February this year.
  2. Support to Ukraine
    1. Prime Minister Kishida stated that what is required now is concrete actions to support Ukraine, and reiterated that Japan has provided strong support to Ukraine to date.
    2. Prime Minister Kishida introduced that Japan held the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction on February 19, with the presence of Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal and many Ukrainian government and business officials to Tokyo. Prime Minister Kishida explained that Japan expressed its commitment to strongly supporting Ukraine through public-private partnership, ranging from emergency recovery assistance such as support for demining , mid- to long-term livelihood reconstruction, to the phase of industrial enhancement including in the digital and IT sectors. He also highlighted that a total of 56 cooperation documents were announced as its outcome.
    3. Prime Minister Kishida stated that he would like to strongly support Ukraine in full solidarity under the leadership of Prime Minister Meloni.
  3. Sanctions against Russia
    Regarding sanctions against Russia, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan, in coordination with G7 members, has been taking severe measures so far and will impose new additional sanctions this time, including the designation of Russian individuals and entities.
  4. Relations to the Indo-Pacific
    1. Emphasizing that the security of Europe and that of Indo-Pacific are inseparable, Prime Minister Kishida pointed out that arms transfers from North Korea to Russia are in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and stated that the use of North Korean ballistic missiles by Russia in Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable.
    2. Prime Minister Kishida stated that he would like to thoroughly continue discussions on the Indo-Pacific, including responses to these developments.
  5. Conclusion
    Prime Minister Kishida stated that he hopes to promote sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine in unity with the G7 in order to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as the situation in Ukraine remains difficult. He also mentioned that Japan will do its utmost to cooperate for the success of the G7 Apulia Summit to be held in June under the Italian Presidency.

［Reference] G7 Leaders' Statement (English (PDF)Open a New Window

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