(Press Release: Provisional Translation)
October 19, 2023
Ministry of Defense
On October 19, commencing at 6:00 pm (JST), for approximately 35 minutes, Defense Minister KIHARA Minoru held a videoconference with H.E. Mr. Rustem UMEROV, Minister of Defense of Ukraine.
- Minister Umerov congratulated Minister Kihara on his appointment and expressed again deep gratitude for the provision of SDF equipment to Ukraine.
- Minister Kihara stated that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that undermines the very foundation of the international order that international community has built up over a long period of hard work and many sacrifices and that Japan absolutely will not accept such act and has been responding resolutely to the aggression standing united with the international community.
- Minister Kihara also stated that MOD would continue to support Ukraine as much as possible, such as providing SDF equipment and accepting injured Ukrainian soldiers at the SDF Central Hospital.
- Russia’s aggression against Ukraine infringes upon the Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, constituting a serious violation of international law and UN Charter prohibiting use of force, and such attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force is utterly unacceptable.
- Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces will continue to support Ukraine as much as possible in cooperation with the international community.
Japan-Ukraine Defense Ministers’ Videoconference
