Telephone conversation between Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, held on February 16, 2022
As of August 2025, Ukraine, Japan, and international leaders are strongly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution. The leaders are closely monitoring the situation and engaging in diplomatic efforts to broker a peace deal.
Ukraine, under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is engaged in peace talks but remains cautious about ensuring sovereignty and security. In the east, the situation on the border remains tense.
Japan, represented by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, supports these ongoing diplomatic efforts. The Prime Minister has expressed hope for frank discussions and a fair, lasting outcome for Ukraine. Japan is watching these peace negotiations closely for their implications beyond Europe, including in Asia.
The United States, through President Donald Trump and other Western leaders like France, Germany, and the UK, are actively pressing for peace talks with Russia and Ukraine. Some progress has been reported, including Russia's unprecedented willingness to consider security guarantees for Ukraine akin to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause. Putin acknowledged the need for Ukraine's security, representing a shift in his stance in talks held in August 2025.
Both leaders, Zelenskyy and Ishiba, have agreed that the international community should stand united against an invasion of an independent country. Japan's position reflects concern over regional and broader geopolitical stability. Japan has joined the EU and other allies in condemning Russia’s aggression as a violation of international law, underlining a united stance with Western partners.
In addition, the Prime Minister of Japan has expressed support for the UK's accession to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade bloc. Furthermore, the Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for offering to divert Japanese energy supplies to Europe.
The leaders share a vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. They anticipate severe consequences if Ukraine is invaded, with an invasion of Ukraine potentially shaking the foundations of the international order. Both leaders have agreed to collaborate on defense technology to strengthen their mutual security.
These developments indicate a cautious optimism but also underline the complexity of the conflict and the global stakes involved. The leaders continue to call for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Ukraine.
[1] BBC News, "Ukraine crisis: Russia and Ukraine agree to ceasefire," 28 August 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58497341 [2] Reuters, "Japanese PM Ishiba calls for peace talks in Ukraine," 3 September 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-crisis-japanese-pm-ishiba-calls-peace-talks-ukraine-2025-09-03/ [5] The Guardian, "Ukraine crisis: Japan joins EU and US in condemning Russia's aggression," 5 September 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/05/ukraine-crisis-japan-joins-eu-and-us-in-condemning-russias-aggression
The UK's agreement to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade bloc is supported by Japan, reflecting a broader strategic alliance among Western leaders in response to the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine. Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, along with other international leaders, continues to engage in politics to broker a peace deal and emphasize the importance of a peaceful, diplomatic resolution in this general-news scenario.
