2024-01-07 22:37 Compiled by United Daily News Gao Yixuan/Reporting in real time
Agence France-Presse reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa made a surprise visit to Kiev, Ukraine on the 7th to express Japan’s determination to support Ukraine. Kamikawa also announced that Tokyo would allocate US$37 million (approximately NT$1.15 billion) to provide Uzbekistan with a drone detection system and five generators to help Uzbekistan survive another wartime winter.
Japanese media Kyodo News reported that the aforementioned funds will be invested in a NATO fund to provide additional support for Ukraine to resist the Russian invasion.
Kamikawa is on his first overseas trip in 2024. She and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba held a press conference at an air defense shelter in Kiev when the air raid sirens sounded. Kamikawa stated that Japan is determined to support Kiev in the hope of restoring peace in Ukraine. Kamikawa said: “Now I can feel how tense the situation in Ukraine is.”
Kamikawa became the first foreign guest welcomed by Ukrainian officials this year; she reiterated her strong condemnation of Russian missile and drone attacks, especially the attack launched by the Russian army on the 1st. Kamikawa also visited the town of Bucha on the outskirts of Kiev, where the Russian army was accused of massacring civilians in 2022. Kamikawa said he was shocked by what he saw. She also visited Irpin, where fierce fighting broke out.
Reports pointed out that Kamikawa started a two-week trip on the 5th and planned to visit Poland, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Germany, and Turkey. However, the itinerary in Kiev was not announced in advance.
Kamikawa and Kuleba also discussed Japan’s plan to hold a relevant conference in Tokyo in February to promote Uzbekistan’s economic reconstruction. Kuleba expressed solidarity with Japan when it suffered a strong earthquake on the 1st. He also said that Ukraine needs an air defense system. “Every day, cities in Ukraine are damaged by Russian missiles and drones.”
Kuleba also said that he and Kamikawa discussed the threat from North Korea. According to South Korean military news quoted by Yonhap News Agency, North Korea has conducted artillery firing drills near the border between the two Koreas for three consecutive days starting from the 5th.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (left) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba held a press conference at an air defense shelter in Kiev on the 7th. … Ukraine Russia Russia-Ukraine War Japan Missiles Kiev South Korea North Korea
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2024-01-07 14:37:44
