Japan has expressed readiness to support Ukraine through UNESCO in restoring the damaged Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reported this following talks in Tokyo between Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu.
During the meeting, Sybiha briefed his Japanese counterpart on the battlefield situation, Ukraine’s long-range sanctions against Russia and prospects for peace efforts.
The Ukrainian foreign minister separately informed Motegi about Russia’s strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. At Ukraine’s request, Motegi expressed Japan’s intention to provide support through UNESCO for the restoration of the damaged shrine.
“The partnership between our countries is mutually beneficial. It is primarily about sharing the most valuable thing: experience. Japan’s unique experience in recovery after disasters is extremely important for Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine’s unique combat experience is important for Japan’s security,” Sybiha said.
The Ukrainian minister thanked Japan for non-lethal assistance, its contribution to the PURL program and other forms of support.
According to Sybiha, Ukraine is ready to develop security cooperation with Japan, primarily in the field of drone technologies.
The ministers also discussed Russia’s deepening cooperation with North Korea. Sybiha stressed that this creates challenges for stability both in Europe and Asia. The foreign ministers exchanged views on jointly countering these threats.
The head of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry also noted the position of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in support of Ukraine, expressed during the G7 summit in Evian.
Sybiha thanked Japan for financial, humanitarian, technical and other support for Ukraine totaling more than $20 billion, including assistance in demining, medicine, agriculture and education.
Following the talks, Sybiha said he had received assurances from his Japanese counterpart that Japan’s support for Ukraine would continue.
The ministers also signed an agreement in the form of an exchange of notes between Ukraine and Japan on a scholarship project worth up to about $500,000 under Japan’s JDS grant assistance.
According to Sybiha, the project aims not only to provide academic education for scholarship recipients, but also to train future leaders in public administration.
“The goal is not only for scholarship recipients to obtain academic education, but also to form future public administration leaders who, after completing their studies, will be able to apply the knowledge, research experience and professional connections they have gained to participate in the development and implementation of Ukraine’s social and economic development plans, strengthen institutional capacity, support reforms and postwar recovery,” the minister said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said the agreement will allow the JDS scholarship project to continue, strengthen the partnership between Ukraine and Japan and enhance the human resources capacity of Ukrainian institutions.
