Japan-Ukraine Relations
Japan-Ukraine Foreign Ministers' Meeting
May 13, 2022
On May 13, commencing at 8:40 a.m. (local time; same day, 3:40 p.m. JST) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Germany to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Dmytro KULEBA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Minister Hayashi stated that he was delighted to meet Minister Kuleba again following their meetings in Warsaw and Brussels in April. He welcomed Minister Kuleba's attendance at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting and stated that Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine are absolutely unacceptable, and that Russia must be held responsible for its actions. Minister Hayashi also stated that Japan has been providing humanitarian and financial assistance to support the Ukrainian government and its people. He also stated that after his visit to Poland he shared the voices he had heard during the visit within Japan, and that Japan is continuing to accept Ukrainian evacuees.
- In response, Minister Kuleba expressed his deep gratitude for Japan's support. He mentioned that President Zelensky had highly appreciated Japan’s measures to embargo Russian oil in principle. He also provided an explanation on the current situation.
- The two Ministers affirmed that it is important for the international community, including G7, to unite in continuing strong sanctions against Russia. They shared the view to continue to work closely together.