[Title] Press Conference by the Prime Minister regarding His Telephone Talk with President Zelensky of Ukraine

(On the telephone talk held with President Zelensky)

Just now I had a discussion with President Zelensky of Ukraine over the telephone, during which I conveyed to him that Japan stands with Ukraine. I also extended Japan’s heartfelt condolences towards the victims of Russian aggression and declared Japan’s firm support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Japan stands together with the citizens of Ukraine who are doing their utmost in taking actions to defend their sovereignty and territory as well as their homeland and their families.

I told President Zelensky that in addition to the loans at a scale of US$100 million we already announced, Japan will provide emergency humanitarian assistance of US$100 million as humanitarian assistance for Ukrainian people facing hardship. As I stated yesterday, in order to fully defend the very foundation of the international order, Japan will unite with the international community in taking resolute actions. From that perspective, we will take the following sanctions, which are in addition to the sanctions I mentioned yesterday. As an effort appearing in the joint statement by the United States and various European countries, in which Japan will also take part, the Government of Japan took the decision to impose the sanction of restricting transactions with Russia’s central bank in order to further enhance the effectiveness of financial sanctions against Russia being taken by the international community.

As for sanctions against Belarus, in view of the clear involvement by Belarus in the recent invasion, we will impose sanctions on both individuals and entities, including President Lukashenko, and also impose stricter export control measures on the country. President Zelensky expressed his high regard and appreciation for these efforts by Japan.

Moreover, in light of the increasingly tense situation in Ukraine, today, February 28, we took the decision to establish a temporary liaison office in the Polish city of Rzeszow, which is close to the border with Ukraine. This Rzeszow office will act in close coordination with our Embassy in Ukraine in Kyiv and the temporary liaison office we established in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv and undertake all possible means to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals and to accept Japanese nationals evacuating from Ukraine by land to Poland. To more solidly demonstrate our wish for solidarity with the people of Ukraine, Japan will take the measure of allowing visa extensions to any Ukrainians in Japan who wish to receive one.

In addition, later tonight, from 1:15 AM, I will participate in a summit-level conference call on the situation in Ukraine, hosted by President Biden, with various U.S. allies and partner countries participating. In that call we will discuss future responses, including sanctions on Russia, support for Ukraine and also for its neighboring countries, and other matters. Japan will continue to respond appropriately by acting in cooperation with the G7 as well as the international community as a whole.