Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Japan has agreed to provide $4.5 billion in aid to Ukraine this year as part of a 10-year security agreement signed by the two countries on Thursday.
The agreement significantly increases Japan’s support for Ukraine at a critical juncture in its war with Russia and underscores Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen security and diplomatic ties with Europe if a full-scale conflict breaks out in 2022.
“For Japan, this agreement and this level of support is a breakthrough,” Zelensky said. Expressed on social media“We see this and are grateful for Japan’s unwavering solidarity.”
Zelenskiy said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had signed the agreement and that leaders attending the G7 summit also discussed other plans to support Ukraine.
Zelensky said the agreement between Ukraine and Japan includes commitments on defense support, humanitarian aid and technical cooperation.
Mr. Kishida statement Earlier this week, Japan said it would “do its utmost to ensure” peace is restored in Ukraine.
Ukraine signed several similar agreements with wealthy countries during the war.
Last December, Japan Overview Pledged $1 billion in aid to Ukraine and expressed willingness to subsequently increase the amount to $4.5 billion.
“The scale of engagement is escalating,” Daniel Sneider, a lecturer in East Asian studies at Stanford University, said of Japan. “They want to be in lockstep with NATO. This is a big deal for Japan.”
Separately, President Biden is expected to sign a 10-year U.S. security agreement with Ukraine on Thursday, the first day of a three-day G7 summit in Italy.
G7 leaders from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US A plan was also agreed Provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan to help it purchase weapons and restore infrastructure.
