The draft of the statement on Ukraine, which is scheduled to be released at the G19 Hiroshima Summit to be held on the 7th of this week, has been revealed.
It strongly condemns Russia's invasion as a war of aggression in defiance of the UN Charter and says it will make every effort to bring lasting peace to Ukraine as soon as possible.
Japan, which chairs the G19 Hiroshima Summit to be held on June 7, is coordinating with other countries to release a statement on Ukraine separately from the Leaders' Declaration, and the draft of the statement has been revealed.
The draft condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the strongest terms, pointing out that it is an unjustified and gratuitous war of aggression that ignores the UN Charter and affects vulnerable countries in terms of food and energy security.
It calls on Russia to withdraw all its forces immediately and unconditionally, stressing that lasting peace cannot be achieved without the withdrawal of Russian troops.
Furthermore, he pointed out that Russia's use of nuclear weapons, biological and chemical weapons would lead to serious consequences, and mentioned that last year, at the G20 Summit, in which Russia also participated, a leaders' declaration was adopted stating that "the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons will not be tolerated."
In addition to securing the economic assistance that Ukraine needs, Japan will also support countries and people affected by the situation in Ukraine, bearing in mind emerging and developing countries known as the "Global South."
And from Hiroshima, a "symbol of peace," he concludes by pledging that the G7 will mobilize all policy tools and make every effort to bring lasting peace to Ukraine as soon as possible.
The Government of Japan intends to further consider specific statements such as sanctions against Russia, and to solidify a statement based on the discussions on the day between the leaders.