Japan urges G7 unity for ‘lasting peace’ in Ukraine

ISTANBUL

Japan’s Premier Shigeru Ishiba on Monday told G7 leaders to stay united in order to bring a “lasting peace” in Ukraine.

After attending a virtual meeting to mark three years of Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine, Ishiba said he told the session that the group should be careful that the peace process leaves no room for the "wrong lesson" that it is possible to change the status quo by force.

He said he hoped that diplomatic efforts, including those being made by the US, will end the war.

US President Donald Trump has advanced negotiations with Russia to end the three-year-long Ukraine conflict, albeit without Kyiv and other European governments.

The Group of Seven is an economic and political group of seven countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US, and also includes the EU.

The Japanese premier said the country “wants to take action in coordination with the G7 countries,” Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said, emphasizing that the situation should be resolved diplomatically.

According to Iwaya, Ishiba argued that in coordination with other G7 countries, Tokyo “will continue support Ukraine as well as sanctions against Russia.”

Japan, he added, will be fully engaged in the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine going forward.

Asked about gains by the far-right AfD party in Germany and the rise of other far-right governments in Europe, Takeshi said: “Looking at the world, there is a movement toward division and confrontation but through the diplomatic efforts we want to shift to coordination and amity. That is the goal of the Japanese diplomacy.”

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi also said on Tuesday that the G7 nations agreed to collaborate in ending the conflict in Ukraine.

"The G7 members are making arrangements, trying to see what message should sent out by the leaders at what timing as the situation continues to evolve," Hayashi said.