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| Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is making a surprise visit to Ukraine. (Source: SCMP) |
After meeting with Mr Sybiha, Foreign Minister Iwaya – who is on an unannounced visit to Kiev – told reporters that the new framework aims to enhance information sharing and bilateral defence coordination.
In a joint press release, Mr. Iwaya affirmed: “Japan will continue to stand side by side with Ukraine in its efforts to realize a just and lasting peace .”
In the first part of the talks, which were made public to the press, Mr. Sybiha praised Japan’s support for Ukraine since Moscow launched a special military operation in February 2022. Mr. Iwaya said the two ministers also condemned North Korea’s troop deployment to western Russia, calling the move “directly involved in the conflict” and extremely worrying.
“This not only aggravates the situation in Ukraine, but also has extremely serious implications for the security situation in the East Asia region. We are extremely concerned and strongly condemn this development,” Foreign Minister Iwaya stressed.
During the meeting, Mr. Iwaya and Mr. Sybiha also affirmed the coordination between the two countries within the framework of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference - a multinational forum to discuss measures to counter mines, scheduled to be hosted by Japan in the fall of next year.
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