Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa paid a surprise visit to Kyiv Sunday where she said Tokyo was "determined" to keep supporting Ukraine, as the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion nears, AFP reports.
Kamikawa, the first high-level foreign official to visit Kyiv this year, announced new deliveries of defence equipment and discussed Tokyo's plans to host a February conference to promote Ukraine's economic reconstruction.
"Japan is determined to support Ukraine so that peace can return to Ukraine," Kamikawa told a press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba held in a bomb shelter as an air raid siren rang out.
"I can feel how tense the situation in Ukraine is now."
Her visit came during escalating attacks by both sides in the conflict.
"I once again strongly condemn Russia's missile and drone attacks, particularly on New Year's Day," said Kamikawa.
She said Tokyo would "allocate" $37 million to provide Ukraine with a drone detection system. It will also supply five generators to help Ukraine "survive" another winter.
Kamikawa visited the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where Russian forces are blamed for a 2022 massacre of civilians, saying she was "shocked" by what she saw. She also went to Irpin, a past scene of heavy fighting.
