Leaders of Japan and Ukraine Sign Agreement for Security and Reconstruction Efforts; Kishida and Zelenskyy meet at the G7 summit in Italy

BARI, Italy – Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed Thursday that Japan will provide support to Ukraine in areas such as security and reconstruction.

The Japan-Ukraine Support and Cooperation Agreement clarified that Japan would provide non-lethal equipment and supplies, as well as treatment for injured Ukrainian service members within the framework of the constitution. The two leaders signed the agreement on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Puglia, Italy.

The agreement also states that in the areas of humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation and reconstruction, Japan will provide assistance in the removal of rubble and its expertise in landmine clearance, as well as efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

The leaders also agreed that in the event of a military attack by Russia on Ukraine, Tokyo and Kiev would hold bilateral talks within 24 hours to provide immediate assistance. The two countries would also cooperate on intelligence gathering, including cybersecurity, and countering the spread of disinformation.

During the talks, Kishida said the bilateral document reiterated that the Ukraine issue is not only a problem for Europe, but for the entire international community. Zelenskyy noted that the agreement was the first with a country in the Pacific Ocean countries and sends a strong signal to the world.