Russia's military aggression against Ukraine continues.
Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues across Ukraine, forcing thousands of civilians to flee the country.
We will keep you updated on developments regarding the situation in Ukraine on the 16th (Japan time), including the situation of the fighting and the diplomacy of the countries concerned.
(There is a 7-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine, and a 6-hour time difference with Moscow, Russia.)
``Military aid is more important than diplomacy in Ukraine for the time being,'' Latvian foreign minister
In an interview with NHK, the foreign minister of Latvia, one of the member countries of NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization, emphasized the idea that diplomatic solutions cannot be expected in Ukraine for the time being, and that military assistance will be more important. bottom.
Latvia joined NATO in 2004 and has argued that Western countries should exert strong military and economic pressure on Russia in this military invasion.
In an interview with NHK in the capital Riga on the 15th, Foreign Minister Linkevich said about the current situation in Ukraine, "Weapons and equipment are arriving from various countries one after another, but the necessary items are increasing. Armored vehicles, tanks, ammunition, etc. We need something," he said, indicating that military support for Ukraine should not be relaxed.
On the other hand, Russia "probably has not been able to produce enough new missiles and weapons, but there are still large quantities of various weapons produced during the Soviet era, and they will continue to target civilians and civilian installations." "Even unsophisticated, outdated weapons can kill a lot of people."
Regarding the future prospects of military aggression, he said, "Some people say that we should aim for a ceasefire or a diplomatic solution. But even if a ceasefire is agreed, Russia will not honor its obligations and will continue to exert pressure until it finds itself sufficient again." It is not a situation that can be expected to be resolved through diplomacy,” he said, emphasizing the idea that military assistance will be more important than diplomacy for the time being. .
In addition, Foreign Minister Linkevich said that the total amount of weapons and other items that Latvia has provided to Ukraine so far is about 1% of GDP = gross domestic product. This is the situation. We have to replenish the artillery and air defense systems, ”he said, and indicated the prospect of raising the defense budget to 3% of GDP by 2027 in order to strengthen defense capabilities.
Ukraine Defense Minister: 'This war is a war of means'
Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov responded to an interview with Reuters on the 15th in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, where he is visiting for the defense ministers' meeting of NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
In it, Defense Minister Reznikov said: "If Russia launches a large-scale attack, it will use its aircraft to dominate the skies. This situation is a real threat to Ukraine. To counter it, we needs a sophisticated, modern aircraft, and I am confident that it will come true," he said, urging Western countries to provide Ukraine with fighter jets.
“The Ukrainian Armed Forces already have a variety of modern weapons such as artillery and tanks. And when this war is over, it will become a full member."
After that, he said, "This war is a war of means. We have partners who support us, and they will support us to win." Did.
On the other hand, regarding the rumors about the replacement of Mr. Reznikov over allegations of corruption at the Ministry of Defense, he denied the change and intended to continue, saying, "President Zelensky asked me to continue the post as defense minister." showed.
Russian Foreign Minister Emphasizes Anti-Western Position in Parliament Speech
Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov delivered a speech on the basics of foreign policy in the lower house of parliament on the 15th, accusing the West of trying to impose its own policies on the world.
"Russia will focus its diplomacy on ending the monopoly of Western powers in the international community," he said, emphasizing Russia's stance against the West.
On that basis, he argued that countries in the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America did not want a rule-based order created by the West, and that frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS (the five emerging nations) led by China and Russia were proposed. In 2014, he set out a policy to strengthen cooperation.