Japan’s PM to Visit Ukraine for 1st Time since Russia’s Op Began

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will visit Ukraine for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, NHK television reported, citing government officials.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kishida, during his speech in Kyiv, will condemn Russia, express solidarity with Ukraine, affirm support for Tokyo, and also indicate determination to "support the international rules-based order."

The visit was prepared with information security in mind, and Tokyo did not announce the trip contrary to accepted procedure. 

Kishida arrived in Poland (from whence he went to Ukraine) on a plane chartered from India, where he was on an official visit. As per his official schedule, he is expected to leave India late on March 21.

This was Kishida's first visit to Ukraine since the start of the Russian special military operation. He was the last G7 leader to visit the country.

The Japanese prime minister is accompanied by Japan's National Security Council Secretary Takeo Akiba and officials of the Foreign Ministry.