Takaichi Pledges Continued Support For Ukraine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pledged continued support for Ukraine and reaffirmed Tokyo’s commitment to imposing sanctions on Russia.

Takaichi made the commitment during her first summit meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Japanese Prime Minister told Zelenskyy that Japan’s policy of standing with Ukraine remains unchanged.

She said Japan will continue working with the international community to support Ukraine and impose sanctions against Russia.

Takaichi also stressed the need for countries to unite in supporting Ukraine to achieve what she described as a “just and lasting peace” as soon as possible.

“On my part, I once again expressed respect for the Ukrainian people who are standing up for the peace of their homeland under President Zelenskyy’s strong leadership, and emphasised that it is essential for all countries to unite in supporting Ukraine in order to achieve “just and lasting peace” as soon as possible,” she said.

She expressed respect for Ukrainians who, under Zelenskyy’s leadership, are seeking peace for their country, while describing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as an act that undermines the international order.

Zelenskyy thanked Japan for its support and briefed Takaichi on Ukraine’s current efforts, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting came as world leaders gathered in New York for the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly, with Russia’s war against Ukraine remaining among the major international security issues under discussion.

Japan has maintained sanctions against Russia and provided humanitarian and other support to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Takaichi’s commitment also follows her address to the UN General Assembly, where she said Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was an example of attempts to change the status quo by force and argued that the international order based on the rule of law must be upheld.

米国・ニューヨークにおける国連総会ハイレベルウィークの際に、ゼレンスキー・ウクライナ大統領（@ZelenskyyUa）と首脳会談を行いました。

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今年6月にエビアンでお話して以来の再会となりました。… pic.twitter.com/KkRfXJZ735

— 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae) September 23, 2026