Joint Statement on Special Global Partnership between Ukraine and Japan

21 March 2023

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio held their Summit Meeting in Kyiv on 21 March, 2023 amidst the ongoing unprovoked and unjustifiable Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The leaders confirmed the unwavering solidarity between Ukraine and Japan and held extensive discussions on a wide range of issues, including bilateral relations. Recognizing the enormous potential of the bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Japan, the leaders decided to upgrade bilateral relationship to the Special Global Partnership and issue the following statement.

Solidarity in countering Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

1. The leaders condemned in the strongest possible terms the illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked aggression by Russia against Ukraine. The leaders shared the view that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine undermines the very foundation of the international order based on the rule of law, constitutes a grave violation of the basic principles enshrined in the UN Charter, in particular the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it presents a direct threat to security, peace and stability not only in the Euro-Atlantic area, but also in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
2. The leaders shared the belief that forcible acquisition of territory or unilateral attempt to change the internationally recognized borders by force or coercion is unacceptable and cannot be justified.
3. The leaders emphasized that they would remain fully committed to the policy of non-recognition of attempted illegal annexation of Ukraine’s territories by Russia. Russia must immediately cease hostilities and withdraw all forces and equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine immediately and unconditionally.
4. The leaders concurred that full restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders is vital for global peace, stability and security. Japan commended Ukraine’s efforts towards restoring a just and lasting peace and expressed support for President Zelenskyy’s efforts to implement his Peace Formula.
5. The leaders condemned in strongest possible terms the indiscriminate attacks by Russia on Ukrainian civilian population and critical infrastructure, particularly energy facilities.
6. The leaders concurred that maintaining and intensifying sanctions on Russia is indispensable to constrain Russia’s war effort and they expected third states not to evade and undermine these measures.
7. The leaders underscored that there must be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities. They reemphasized their commitment to holding all those responsible to account in accordance with international law.
8. The leaders condemned Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons as a serious and unacceptable menace to the peace and security of the international community, and stressed that Russia’s use of nuclear weapons would meet with unequivocal international opprobrium and resolute responses. The leaders emphasized that 77 years record of non-use of nuclear weapons must not be broken by Russia.
9. The leaders expressed gravest concern over Russia’s continued seizure and militarization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The situation can only be resolved by complete withdrawal of Russian troops and equipment from the premises. Japan expressed its support for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) efforts to strengthen nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, including through the continuous presence of IAEA experts and the cessation of all combat operations in and around the plant and surrounding infrastructure.
10. The leaders underlined the importance of President Zelenskyy’s Grain from Ukraine Initiative, and further implementation of the UN and Türkiye-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes.
11. The leaders denounced Russia’s continuous use of information manipulation and disinformation campaigns unfolded globally that seek to shift blame to others.

Cooperation under Japan’s G7 Presidency

12. President Zelenskyy expressed profound gratitude for the active leadership shown by Japan as the G7 Presidency, including in increasing G7 members’ commitment of financial and economic assistance to USD 39 billion, based on the needs of the Ukrainian Government. The leaders positively assessed the holding under Japan’s initiative, of the G7 Leaders’ Video Conference on 24 February and confirmed their readiness to coordinate their efforts in the context of preparation of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima on 19-21 May 2023.
13. Prime Minister Kishida stated that, as the G7 Presidency, Japan would maintain the unity of the G7 in imposing strict sanctions against Russia and providing support to Ukraine, making use of international frameworks such as the G7+ Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Ukraine Energy Sector Support and the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine.

Expanding bilateral cooperation

14. The leaders affirmed that Ukraine and Japan have a rich history of cooperation, friendship and mutual solidarity. They underscored that Ukraine and Japan share the same fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, the rule of law, respect for international law and human rights. In this regard, the leaders confirmed to strengthen their commitment to promoting a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
15. As last year marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Japan, the leaders recognized both counties have a large potential for further expanding their bilateral partnership towards a wide range of areas, including trade and economic relations, infrastructure development, green transition, science and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
16. President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Japan and its people for their continued support to Ukraine. The financial, humanitarian and other assistance already announced by Japan, totaling USD 7.1 billion, has saved the lives of many people in Ukraine, and encouraged those fighting to defend their country from the aggression and to restore a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Prime Minister Kishida expressed Japan’s continued support for Ukraine and reaffirmed that Japan stands with Ukraine and its people.
17. Japan reaffirmed its commitment to the post-war recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. The leaders shared the view that the private sector should play an important role in the recovery and reconstruction process. The leaders also emphasized that the process should be an opportunity to expand even further the cooperation between the two countries. In addition, the leaders underlined the role of the G7, including its Ambassadors Group, in promoting coordination in areas such as judicial reform, law enforcement and the fight against corruption in Ukraine, which should form the basis of a robust and stable post-war recovery in Ukraine.
18. Ukraine welcomed Japan’s readiness to provide support for the protection and preservation of Ukrainian cultural heritage sites damaged by the war.
19. The leaders underlined the importance of bilateral cooperation using the mechanisms of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the effective support to the socio-economic development of Ukraine, including support to nuclear safety and medical and cultural institutions.

Cooperation in the regional and international arena

20. The leaders expressed their intention to deepen cooperation in international fora, particularly in the context of Japan’s G7 Presidency in 2023 and non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for 2023-2024.
21. The leaders expressed their readiness to cooperate closely in order to make the UN Security Council more representative, legitimate, effective and responsive to the realities of the international community in the 21st century.
22. Recognizing the inseparability of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security, the leaders reaffirmed their intention to work together to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and in accordance with the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, as important partners that share fundamental values and principles such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. To that end, President Zelenskyy commended the adoption of the National Security Strategy of Japan, including fundamental reinforcement of defense capabilities and strengthening diplomatic efforts.
23. The leaders concurred to work together toward the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), which is inclusive and based on the rule of law.
24. The leaders reaffirmed the critical importance of respecting international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) with its provisions on the obligation to settle disputes by peaceful means, and maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight.
25. The leaders expressed serious concern about the situation in the East and South China Seas, and strongly opposed any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion. The leaders also emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element in security and prosperity in the international community. They encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.
26. The leaders committed to work together in order to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime, and to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation as well as arms control.
27. The leaders strongly condemned North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles including the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launches, which violates relevant UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). The leaders affirmed their commitment to fully implementing the relevant UNSCRs and remain committed to the realization of the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missiles of North Korea in accordance with the relevant UNSCRs. The leaders emphasized the importance of the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.