Japan weighs sending Patriot missiles to Ukraine
Photo: Japan plans to consider providing Ukraine with Patriot missiles (Getty Images)
Japan plans to resume discussions on providing or selling weapons to Ukraine, including interceptors for Patriot systems, Itsunori Onodera, a member of the Japanese parliament from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and former Japanese defense minister, says during his visit to Kyiv.
"There are certain legal restrictions in Japan, as well as restrictions at the state policy level. But under the leadership of Prime Minister Takaichi, we intend to initiate intergovernmental discussions on further steps, using this visit as a catalyst," Onodera said.
According to him, the current meeting with the Ukrainian leadership is a continuation of a dialogue that began earlier.
On September 14, Eisuke Mori, speaker of the House of Representatives of the Japanese parliament, arrived in Ukraine for his first visit.
Last week, a leaders-level meeting was held in New York between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A mission from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's defense strategy group visited Kyiv and also had a meeting with Zelenskyy.
"I feel that we are currently at a stage where trust-based relations between Japan and Ukraine are steadily strengthening. As for developing these relations in the future, we plan to hold relevant consultations with the government of Japan following the current exchange of views," Onodera emphasized.
Ukraine needs Patriot missiles
Ukraine needs at least 300 interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems this winter.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is collecting a hundred missiles one or two at a time directly from the leaders of countries. He emphasized that the US is the only country that could provide large-scale assistance.
Reuters reported that the US did not include missiles for Patriot air defense systems in its new military aid package for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's administration plans to use all $400 million previously approved by Congress to provide assistance to Ukraine.
At a meeting with representatives of the Ukrainian community in the US, Zelenskyy said that an agreement had been reached on a new package of Patriot missiles.
