Zelenskyy discusses preparation of security agreement between Ukraine and Japan
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida, says the head of state on Telegram.
"Thanks to the Japanese government and all the people for the large-scale and multifaceted assistance. The distance between our countries is not a barrier to the warmth of your hearts that Ukrainians feel. Japan has already provided Ukraine with financial support for more than 12 billion dollars and announced additional assistance for the current year," Zelenskyy said.
He added that he was personally grateful to the Japanese prime minister for holding the Japan-Ukraine conference in Tokyo in February, at which more than 50 bilateral agreements were signed.
According to Zelenskyy, they agreed to facilitate their early implementation.
In addition, the President talked about the situation on the battlefield, in particular about Russian air terror.
"Since the beginning of the year, Russia has fired almost a thousand missiles, about 2,800 Shaheds, and almost 7,000 guided aer bombs at Ukraine," he said.
Zelenskyy noted the strengthening of sanctions against Russia and the creation of a mechanism for the confiscation of frozen Russian assets.
"In this context, the introduction by Japan of the new 23rd package of sanctions against Russia for the war in Ukraine is a good example for other international partners," the President said.
He also informed Kishida about Ukraine's need for non-lethal equipment: special equipment for fortification, demining, and medical evacuation. The parties also discussed the preparation of the bilateral security agreement following the results of three rounds of negotiations.
Japan's support for Ukraine
According to Masato Kandi, Deputy Minister of Finance of Japan for International Affairs, Tokyo will continue to provide timely budget support to Ukraine.
Japan is also expected to provide equipment to Ukraine for the energy sector.
On February 16, it became known that Ukraine's national budget had received a $49.4 million grant from the Japanese government as part of the World Bank's project Housing Repair for People's Empowerment (HOPE)
In addition, on February 25, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that Tokyo is planning new sanctions against Russia. Support for Ukraine will remain one of the priorities this year.
