Politics & Government

Japan, NATO confirm cooperation over Ukraine

Pool via Reuters
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg before a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the annual Munich Security Conference in Munich on Saturday.

Jiji Press

15:57 JST, February 20, 2022

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg have confirmed that the two sides will work closely to ease tensions over Ukraine.

The two officials met in Germany on Saturday amid mounting concerns about Russia’s military buildup near Ukraine.

Hayashi was visiting Germany to attend an emergency meeting of the Group of Seven foreign ministers held the same day.

Ahead of his meeting with the NATO leader, Hayashi had talks with Bogdan Aurescu, foreign minister of Romania, which borders Ukraine.

Hayashi asked Romania to cooperate with Japan if Japanese nationals evacuate from Ukraine. Aurescu said his country will provide the maximum possible assistance.

Hayashi also met with Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets.