He’ll “present respect to the braveness and endurance of the Ukrainian people who find themselves standing as much as defend their homeland below President Zelenskyy’s management, and present solidarity and unwavering help for Ukraine as head of Japan and chairman of G-7,” throughout his go to to Ukraine, the Japanese Overseas Ministry stated in asserting his journey to Kyiv.

On the talks, Kishida will present his “absolute rejection of Russia’s one-sided change to the established order by invasion and power, and to affirm his dedication to defend the rules-based worldwide order,” the ministry’s assertion stated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed Xi to the Kremlin on a go to each nations describe as a possibility to deepen their “no-limits friendship.”

Japanese public tv channel NTV confirmed Kishida using a practice from Poland heading to Kyiv. His shock journey to Ukraine comes simply hours after he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, and the week after a breakthrough summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yoel.

In New Delhi, Kishida known as for growing and World South nations to lift their voices to defend the rules-based worldwide order and assist cease Russia’s conflict.

Japan, which has territorial disputes over islands with each China and Russia, is especially involved concerning the shut relationship between Beijing and Moscow, which have carried out joint navy workout routines close to Japan’s coasts.

Kishida, who’s to chair the Group of Seven summit in Could, is the one G-7 chief who hasn’t visited Ukraine and was below strain to take action at house. U.S. President Joe Biden took the same route to go to Kyiv final month, simply earlier than the primary anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Attributable to limitations of Japan’s pacifist structure, his journey was organized secretly. Kishida is Japan’s first postwar chief to enter a conflict zone. Kishida, invited by Zelenskyy in January to go to Kyiv, was additionally requested earlier than his journey to India a couple of rumor of his doable journey on the finish of March, denied it and stated nothing concrete has been determined.

Japan has joined america and European nations in sanctioning Russia over its invasion and offering humanitarian and financial help for Ukraine.

Japan was fast to react as a result of it fears the doable impression of a conflict in East Asia, the place China’s navy has grown more and more assertive and has escalated tensions round self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.

Kishida is anticipated to supply persevering with help for Ukraine when he meets with Zelenskyy.

Tv footage on NTV confirmed Kishida getting on a practice from the Polish station of Przemysl close to the border with Ukraine, with various officers.

Attributable to its pacifist rules, Japan’s help for Ukraine has additionally been restricted to non-combative navy gear corresponding to helmets, bulletproof vests and drones, and humanitarian provides together with turbines.

Japan has contributed greater than $7 billion to Ukraine, and accepted greater than 2,000 displaced Ukrainians and helped them with housing help and help for jobs and training, a uncommon transfer in a rustic that’s identified for its strict immigration coverage.

AP reporter Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.