(Press Release: Provisional Translation)
April 12, 2024
Ministry of Defense
On April 12, commencing at 6:15 pm (JST), for approximately 30 minutes, Defense Minister KIHARA Minoru held a videoconference with H.E. Mr. Rustem UMEROV, Minister of Defense of Ukraine.
- Regarding the SDF vehicles which the Ministry of Defense had been providing to Ukraine since last May, Minister Kihara informed Minister Umerov that the final shipment, including the 101st vehicle, has departed Japan at the end of last month. Minister Umerov expressed again deep gratitude for the provision of SDF equipment to Ukraine and accepting injured Ukrainian soldiers at the SDF Central Hospital.
- Minister Kihara reiterated that Japan firmly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and is committed to supporting Ukraine in cooperation with the international community, including the G7, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine at the earliest possible date.
- Russia’s aggression against Ukraine infringes upon Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, constituting a serious violation of international law including the UN Charter prohibiting the 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.