CaliToday (06/11/2025): In her first call with the Ukrainian president since taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae affirmed that the Russian invasion is a challenge to the "entire international order."
Japan's new Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae, held her first phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, using the opportunity to forcefully reaffirm Tokyo's "unchanged" commitment to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty, recovery, and reconstruction.
The call, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, was the first direct contact between the two leaders since PM Takaichi was inaugurated last month. It served to solidify that Japan's new administration would continue its strong, principled stance against the Russian invasion.
Prime Minister Takaichi stated that Japan, understanding that the consequences of the invasion "affect the entire international order," will continue to "strongly support" Ukraine's efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace as soon as possible.
President Zelenskyy, who confirmed the call on social media, said he congratulated the Prime Minister on her new role and expressed gratitude for Japan's "steadfast support and principled stance" since the first days of the full-scale war.
The most critical and immediate outcome of the discussion centered on the approaching winter.
President Zelenskyy specifically stated that Ukraine "deeply appreciates" Japan's readiness to provide "necessary energy equipment." This aid is considered vital for helping "Ukrainian cities and communities" survive the winter, as Russia is expected to resume its systematic attacks on the country's power grid.
In a key diplomatic gesture, President Zelenskyy also announced that he had invited Prime Minister Takaichi to visit Ukraine, offering her the chance to see the situation on the ground. The call firmly establishes that under its new leadership, Japan remains one of kyiv's most powerful and reliable allies in Asia.