Japan and U.S. agree to maintain sanctions against Russia and support Ukraine
Japan and the United States will continue to work with each other to maintain sanctions against Russia and support Ukraine following the agreement reached by the G7 last year, according to Reuters.
During the hour-long meeting, U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo and Japanese Deputy Finance Minister for International Affairs Masato Kanda say the two sides also exchanged frank views on the global economy.
The Group of Seven, which includes Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and the European Union, pledged in May 2023 to restrict Russian exports that finance its military actions in Ukraine. Japan chaired the group in 2023.
Western countries, led by the United States, have sent billions of dollars worth of weapons and economic aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
G7 Summit in Japan
The G7 leaders' summit was held in Japan in May 2023. The G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to provide "the financial, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support that Ukraine needs for as long as it takes."
In addition, the leaders emphasized that peace "is not possible without the full and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment" and reaffirmed that Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons are "unacceptable."
The summit was attended by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met personally with world leaders.