Japan’s Kishida Meets Zelenskiy In Kyiv Unannounced

Japan’s Fumio Kishida met President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Tuesday during a rare, unannounced visit by a Japanese leader that underscored Tokyo’s emphatic support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.

The Japanese prime minister had been the only leader of the Group of Seven, G7, rich nations who had not visited Ukraine, which has seen an outpouring of popular support in Japan following the Russian invasion more than a year ago.

Zelenskiy posted footage of him greeting Kishida, whom the Ukrainian leader called “a truly powerful defender of the international order and a longtime friend of Ukraine,” in central Kyiv.

Earlier, Kishida toured the town of Bucha, where the mayor has said more than 400 civilians were killed last year by Russian forces and which has since become synonymous with Russian brutality during the war.

He laid a wreath outside a church before observing a moment of silence and bowing.

“The world was astonished to see innocent civilians in Bucha killed one year ago. I really feel great anger at the atrocity upon visiting that very place here,” Kishida said.

“I would like to give condolence to the all victims and the wounded on behalf of the Japanese nationals. Japan will keep aiding Ukraine with the greatest effort to regain peace.”

Reuters /Shakirat Sadiq