On February 4, 2026, the New Europe Center held the VI Ukraine-Japan Forum, “Restoring the Rules-Based Order. Ukraine and Japan’s Roles in Global Security”. During the event, analysts and academics from Japan and Ukraine discussed issues related to the broader security environment in which both countries operate today and bilateral relations in the context of the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine.
Namely, the discussion panels were devoted to the following issues:
- The War of Democracies Against Dictatorships. A Reality Check for Ukraine and Japan
- Ad hoc Alliances, Ambitious Partnerships: How Cooperation in Europe and Asia Has Changed Since 2022?
- Soft Power: What Has Changed Over the Past Four Years?
Igor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the President’s Office, Diplomatic Adviser to the President of Ukraine in his key address emphasized:
“Agreements reached between the leaders of Ukraine and Japan are always implemented in practice. There has not been a single case in which commitments agreed between the President of Ukraine and the leadership of Japan were not fulfilled. In this context, I would like to highlight instruments through which we could open new horizons. In particular, I would like to mention the PURL programme, which provides not only military assistance but also has the capacity to deliver non-military, non-lethal support to Ukraine.
We therefore call on Japan—both as our partner and as a NATO partner in the Asia-Pacific region—to also join this programme”
During the introductory remarks Sergiy Solodkyy, Director, New Europe Center said:
“For Japan, the concept of the rules-based order has never been an empty phrase. At a time when references to “international law” evoke, at best, sympathetic sighs, it is critically important that there remain countries willing to defend a world governed by rules and values. This is precisely what explains the choice of the overarching theme of today’s Forum.
Despite all differences and distances, we ultimately speak the same language—the language of shared values: democracy and the protection of international law. We also speak the same language in our assessment of common threats, first and foremost those emanating from Russia and China”.
Ayano Kunimitsu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Masashi Nakagome, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, and Yurii Lutovinov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Japan made welcoming remarks.
“From the outset of the invasion, Japan has maintained its position of standing with Ukraine and has been working with the international community towards the realization of just and lasting peace. Prime Minister Takaichi‘s attendance at the online summit meeting of the Coalition of the Willings held last October is an example of concrete action. Japan announced and implemented support for Ukraine, totaling approximately 20 billion U.S. dollars to date”, Ayano Kunimitsu addressed in her video message.
“As Foreign Minister Motegi recently stated, the basic principle of Japan’s foreign policy is and continues to be the maintenance and strengthening of free and open international order based on the rule of law. Consider Ukraine. As I understand, in Abu Dhabi, Ukraine, Russia and the United States plan to hold the second round of trilateral talks. Japan is steadfast in its commitment to work alongside Ukraine and its international partners to achieve peace as swiftly as possible. But does this mean Ukraine should accept Russia’s dictates? Of course not. It is vital that Ukraine achieves a just and lasting peace. Such an outcome is essential not only for Ukraine, but also for Japan, for Ukraine’s friends and partners, and for the international order itself. For this reason, Japan firmly believes that unity among key international players, including the United States, is indispensable. And we are committed to playing our part in maintaining and strengthening that unity”, Ambassador Masashi Nakagome stated.
“The events of recent years have convincingly demonstrated that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are closely interconnected. Moreover, these challenges compel our countries to adapt, evolve, and improve.
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi recently rightly stated that economic growth is impossible without security, and therefore Japan’s national security is a top priority. In this context, we are closely observing Japan’s systematic defence policy reset: the review of key strategic defence and security documents by the end of this year, discussions on potential changes to arms export regulations, as well as the adoption of a record defence budget two years in advance at the level of 2% of GDP.
Given our unique experience in conducting a modern war against one of the largest armies in the world, adapting to a war of attrition, and employing cutting-edge technologies – including unmanned systems, cyber defence expertise, and digital solutions – we can become an important partner in these transformations in Japan.
In the field of joint research and co-production, we can certainly strengthen each other”, Ambassador Yurii Lutovinov said during his speech.
Video recordings of the forum are available in Ukrainian and English.
Stay tuned! Soon we will publish the most interesting messages and a full photo report.
