The NPI "Ask What You Want to Know" series is a forum in which leading researchers discuss issues of current interest and field questions from attendees.

There have been many reports about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but what is actually happening in Ukraine right now, what will happen in the future, and what kind of cooperation can Japan offer to Ukraine? There is also growing interest in how Russia, the U.S., NATO and other related countries and organizations, and the U.N. are expected to respond. In this session, we hear directly from the two ambassadors currently representing each of the two countries to the international community about the situation in Ukraine, Japan-Ukraine relations, and the outlook for the future.

Moderator

Fujisaki Ichiro, NPI President

Panelists

Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine

Sergiy Korsunsky, Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan

Active discussion was held with participation by attendees from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other government offices, corporations, and the mass media. Questions from attendees were organized into the following four groups and posed to the panelists on the day of the event.

1.What is the actual situation in Ukraine?

2.What is the situation of Japanese residents in the region and what are the activities of the Japanese Embassy there?

3.What is the status of Japan's support to Ukraine? How do the people of Ukraine perceive it?

4.What are the implications of sanctions against Russia? What is your view of the situation in Russia?