Fumio Kishida, the prime minister of Japan, visited Kyiv without prior notice to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday, further demonstrating Tokyo’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion.
Zelenskiy shared a video of himself welcoming Kishida, whom the Ukrainian leader described as “a truly powerful defender of the international order and a longtime ally of Ukraine.”
Kishida had previously visited Bucha, a town synonymous with Russian brutality during the war because its mayor claims Russian forces killed more than 400 civilians there last year.
“One year ago, the world was shocked to see civilians killed in Bucha. I’ve never felt such rage at the atrocity as I do right now as I stand in this very spot where it happened,” says Kishida.
It happens at the same time that Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Russia. Russia’s defense ministry said on Tuesday that two strategic bomber planes flew over the Sea of Japan, which seemed to be a response to Kishida’s trip.
According to Zelenskiy, Kiev has suggested to China that it join a Ukrainian peace formula to end the war, but has not yet received a response. Despite Beijing’s 12-point peace plan, Kiev continues to demand the complete withdrawal of all Russian troops.
Zelenskiy stated during a joint press conference with Kishida that he would participate in the Hiroshima summit of the G7 via an internet connection.
