Kishida announces $200 million in aid for food crisis at G7 summit

Pool photo / The Yomiuri Shimbun
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, second from left, participates in a Group of Seven summit discussion, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending online, in Elmau, Germany, on Monday.

MUNICH — Japan will contribute $200 million toward the global food crisis resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced at the Group of Seven summit on Monday.

Kishida also indicated the government’s intention to make a fresh contribution of $100 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine to support its recovery.

The prime minister made the announcement during a summit meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine.

The food crisis-related contributions will be used to provide food aid to Middle Eastern and African nations facing a food crisis due to Russia’s blockade of Black Sea ports, as well as to strengthen grain storage capacity in Ukraine.

Kishida said Japan’s total assistance related to Ukraine will be around $1.1 billion including the newly announced aid.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who participated in the meeting online, reportedly expressed his gratitude.