Zelenskyy discusses situation on frontline, need for weapons with Japanese Premier Kishida

ANKARA

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the situation on the frontline and needs of his nation's army in a phone talk with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday.

In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its financial aid to Ukraine, amounting over $12 billion, and for allocating additional funds.

Zelenskyy provided an update to Kishida regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia, mentioning recent missile and drone attacks on its territory.

He pushed for increasing sanction pressure on Russia and confiscating its frozen assets, commending Japan for imposing and recently expanding sanctions on Moscow. Russia was hit with a wave of sanctions after it sent forces into Ukraine more than two years ago.

The president also outlined Ukraine's military equipment requirements, including fortification construction, mine clearance, and medical evacuation capabilities.

In a separate statement, Zelenskyy said in March Russia carried out strikes with more than 400 missiles of different types, 600 Shahed drones and 3,000 guided aviation bombs, noting that the city of Kharkiv had been taking the heaviest blow recently.

"All this will not happen when Ukraine receives reliable air defense systems that can save the lives of our people and return security to our city," he said.