Yurii Lutovinov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Japan, in his welcoming words at VI Ukraine-Japan Forum spoke about deepening Ukraine–Japan cooperation in the fields of security, energy resilience, defence, and post-war reconstruction amid growing global security challenges.
Dear Forum participants,
I sincerely thank for the opportunity to address on the occasion of the Sixth Ukraine–Japan Forum. I am grateful to the New Europe Center, led by Sergiy Solodkyy, for the invitation and for continuing this initiative launched by Alyona Getmanchuk (Head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO, Founder and Director of the New Europe Center in 2017–2025) and Leo Litra (Senior Research Fellow at the New Europe Center).
The fourth year of one of the bloodiest and most brutal war since World War II is coming to an end. While this period differs from the previous ones in that an active peace process has begun to search for ways to end the war, including discussions on concessions and compromises, the Russian aggressor continues its terror and genocidal war in a systematic and deliberate manner. The latest massive attacks on energy, infrastructure, and civilian facilities once again confirm this reality. Therefore, it is critically important to maintain pressure on Russia in order to make the war unsustainable for it.
In this context, it is important to emphasize the significant role of Japan. We are deeply grateful to Japan, which has consistently and unwaveringly supported Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s open aggression, and which clearly understands the future challenges and threats to the security situation in East Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Today, Japan is one of the leading donors of financial, humanitarian, and technical assistance to our country, with total support exceeding USD 15 billion. Last year was no exception, despite Japan’s own difficult socio-economic situation and a very active domestic political agenda.
We witnessed important political developments, including elections to the House of Councillors, a change in the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the formation of a new government, and the election of Sanae Takaichi as the new Prime Minister.
Despite these factors, within the framework of Japan’s supplementary budget for fiscal year 2025, approximately USD 150 million was allocated to Ukraine in December last year.
Out of more than USD 3 billion under the ERA (Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration) Loans mechanism, financed from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets, USD 550 million was transferred to Ukraine in December last year, with an additional USD 1.3 billion expected to be disbursed in the first half of this year. A decision was also taken in December to provide USD 4.5 billion in financial assistance through World Bank instruments in the first half of 2026.
A wide range of grant projects supporting Ukraine across various sectors of national life is being actively implemented. In particular, it is important to highlight the active implementation of the UNIDO project financed by Japan, amounting to USD 188 million, aimed at the green recovery of Ukraine’s industry. As Ambassador Nakagome has already noted, special recognition should also be given to the successful International Ukraine Mine Action Conference held in Tokyo. Its results — more than USD 120 million pledged for demining — represent a tangible contribution to the safety of millions of Ukrainian citizens and the return of thousands of hectares of land to economic use.
It would be impossible not to mention Not For Sale — the Ukrainian pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, which was visited by more than 3.2 million people. We are grateful to Japan for the opportunity for Ukraine to be represented there. This is an incredible, powerful, and beautiful success story — an unprecedented chance to convey to the world the truth about Ukraine, our resilience, and our unbroken spirit. A particularly symbolic event was Ukraine’s National Day on August 5, attended by First Lady Olena Zelenska, Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka, and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. On August 4, a Ukraine–Japan Business Forum was held in Tokyo with the participation of more than 300 representatives of both governments and business communities, providing another impetus to encourage Japanese business engagement in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
Last year also saw two additional sanctions decisions by the Government of Japan — in January and September. We believe there is more to come.
We have many reasons to thank Japan: vehicles for the military, rehabilitation of wounded defenders, medicines and medical equipment for hospitals, emergency energy assistance — which is especially critical now — including generators, autotransformers, cogeneration units, hundreds of pieces of heavy equipment, and training programs.
Japan demonstrates sincere friendship and true partnership at the most difficult time for Ukraine. Such support is invaluable. Despite the government reshuffle in Japan at the end of last year, the new cabinet began active political dialogue with Ukraine literally from the first hours after its appointment. Meetings took place between Japan’s Foreign Minister Shigemitsu Motegi and Ukrainian officials Oleksii Soboliev in Tokyo and Andrii Sybiha in Canada. A phone call was held between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Meetings also took place within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing, with the participation of the Prime Minister of Japan.
However, today’s forum is intended not only to sum up the results of 2025, but rather to outline plans for the future and jointly consider where our countries can further strengthen each other.
All circumstances — both security challenges and new opportunities — are pushing Ukraine and Japan toward deeper partnership, including in new areas. The security situation in Ukraine and Europe, as well as around Japan and in Asia, is becoming increasingly dangerous and unpredictable.
Russian aggression continues, a dangerous alliance between authoritarian regimes is strengthening, and the exchange of advanced military technologies is intensifying. These are challenges that directly affect both Ukraine and Japan.
Recent years have convincingly demonstrated that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region is closely interconnected. Moreover, these challenges are prompting our countries to adapt, develop, and improve.
Prime Minister Takaichi recently rightly stated that economic growth is impossible without security, and therefore Japan’s national security is the highest priority.
In this context, we are closely following the systematic reset of Japan’s defense policy: the revision of key strategic defense and security documents by the end of this year, discussions on possible changes to arms export rules, and the early adoption of a record defense budget at the level of 2% of GDP.
Given our unique experience of conducting modern warfare against one of the world’s largest armies, adapting to a war of attrition, employing advanced technologies and unmanned systems, as well as our expertise in cyber defense and digital solutions, Ukraine can become an important partner in these transformations of Japan. This includes joint research and joint production. We can undoubtedly strengthen each other.
We also clearly understand that the development of partnership is impossible without political dialogue, including at the highest level. The leadership of Japan — Prime Minister Takaichi, Minister Motegi, other members of the government, as well as parliamentary leaders and members — are always welcome guests in Ukraine.
At the previous forum, the issue of elevating bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership was raised. The Ukrainian side is deeply convinced that we have already reached a level of interaction that justifies such a status. We will continue to deepen our cooperation and work toward its realization.
Thanks to its themes, discussions, and the high level of participants, today’s forum will make a significant contribution to developing new ideas and approaches to further strengthening the Ukraine–Japan partnership.
In conclusion, I would like once again to thank the Government of Japan and the Japanese people for their unwavering support of Ukraine. Having been in Japan since September last year, I personally feel this strong solidarity at all levels of interaction. We deeply appreciate that Japan stands firmly shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.
Video recordings of the forum are available in Ukrainian and English.
Photo report is here.
Mediapartner: Ukrinform.
Photo credit by Illia Nosyk
