Japan PM Kishida Heads To Ukraine For Surprise Visit After India Trip

In India, Prime Ministers Modi and Kishida discussed the Ukraine conflict and its implications and Kishida also denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida heads for a surprise visit to Ukraine to hold talks with President Zelenskyy after India trip.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida set off for Ukraine early this morning for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported news agency Associated Press. Visuals by Japan’s public broadcaster NHK showed Kishida riding a train from Poland heading to Kyiv. 

The Japanese PM’s surprise visit to Ukraine comes just hours after he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. 

Kishida, who is to chair the Group of Seven summit in May, is the only G-7 leader who hasn’t visited Ukraine and was under pressure to do so at home.

Tokyo has been in step with other G7 nations in imposing sanctions against Russia and supporting Kyiv over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. During his Ukraine visit, Kishida is expected to offer continuing support for Ukraine when he meets with Zelenskyy.

In India, Prime Ministers Modi and Kishida discussed the Ukraine conflict and its implications. 

Delivering a lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs on Japan's new plan for a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' (FOIP), Kishida extensively delved into the challenges being faced by Ukraine and said any change of status quo by force is not acceptable in any part of the world.

"Russia's aggression against Ukraine obliges us to face the most fundamental challenge; defending peace. Various challenges related to 'global commons' such as climate and the environment, global health and cyberspace, have become more serious," he said. Kishida also denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

"I reiterate that Japan strongly condemns Russia's aggression against Ukraine and will never recognise it. Prime Minister Modi too expressed to President Putin that 'today's era is not of war'," he said.

While Japan and India are special strategic and global partners, New Delhi has not been forthcoming in criticising Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.