Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky [AFP]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky [AFP]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly thanked Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on Tuesday (local time) after she expressed support for Ukraine.

Zelensky tagged Takaichi's account in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing, "Thank you for congratulating Ukraine on the 35th anniversary of its independence." He added that while Japan is geographically far from Ukraine, the two countries are "very close in terms of values, shared principles and a common understanding of the importance of freedom and independence."

"We constantly work to strengthen the defense of our peoples and regions," Zelensky said, calling cooperation between Russia and North Korea "truly dangerous." He said he "greatly values" Takaichi's message on the importance of tightening sanctions against Russia and increasing support for the Ukrainian people. "Thank you for speaking warmly about Ukrainians and always recognizing their courage. Japan, thank you," he added.

Ukraine held independence day celebrations and a Coalition of the Willing summit in the capital Kyiv on Monday (local time). Takaichi, who joined the summit via video link, said Japan would work with the international community to support Ukraine and strengthen sanctions against Russia. She also said European-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security are inseparable, pointing to Russia's deepening military cooperation with North Korea and its growing ties with China.

As the war in Ukraine — which began with Russia's invasion in February 2022 — enters its fifth year with no end in sight, Ukraine has increasingly called on East Asian countries, including Japan and South Korea, to provide air defense support.

In an interview with Kyodo News released Monday (local time), Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky said he had one request for Japan: ballistic missile interceptors, specifically Patriot surface-to-air missiles. Zelensky, speaking on a domestic broadcast on Aug. 9, said Ukraine wanted South Korea's support in air defense systems where it falls short. "South Korea has legal constraints, but we expect such cooperation and our diplomats are in contact," he said.


yg@heraldcorp.com