Zelenskyy and the Japanese Prime Minister Discussed Support for Ukraine and Air Defense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in New York. The talks took place on September 23, 2026, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The head of state thanked Japan for its long-standing support of Ukraine. 

In particular, they discussed energy assistance, sanctions, and humanitarian projects.

Sanae Takaichi, for her part, assured that Japan would continue to support Ukraine.

During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Sanae Takaichi discussed areas of bilateral cooperation in which Ukraine and Japan can be of mutual benefit to one another.

The President noted that Ukraine is ready to share its own experience and technologies with Japan on a mutually beneficial basis.

They paid special attention to Japanese air defense technologies, which could help Ukraine strengthen the protection of its civilian infrastructure ahead of winter.

“Of course, Ukraine is ready to share its experience and technologies on a mutually beneficial basis. Japan also has advanced technologies for protecting lives, particularly in air defense, which can help Ukraine get through the coming winter if Russia once again rejects negotiations,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to visit Ukraine.

In particular, the head of state suggested that she visit the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which Japan helped restore following a Russian drone strike in June 2026.

Throughout the full-scale war, Japan has provided Ukraine with humanitarian, energy, and political support, and has also joined international sanctions against Russia.

Earlier, on September 15, 2026, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also met with Eisuke Mori, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Japanese Diet. At that time, the parties discussed energy support for Ukraine, defense cooperation, and Japan’s participation in the PURL program.

The meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Sanae Takaichi was part of a series of talks the Ukrainian president held with international partners during the UN General Assembly in New York.

This was reported by the Office of the President.

As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in New York with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The main topics of discussion were sanctions against Russia, financial support for Ukraine, and the situation amid the war. Zelenskyy stated that lifting restrictions on certain Russian oligarchs at this time would be a misstep.

On September 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump in New York. The talks took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and lasted about 40 minutes, after which the presidents concluded the meeting without publicly announcing any specific new agreements.