Shigeru Ishiba Urges Unity and Caution in Messaging to Russia

During an online G-7 summit held on February 24, which marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba warned his counterparts about the risks of conveying a message that force could successfully alter the current situation in Ukraine. He stressed that diplomatic undertakings by the United States and other nations should be focused on finding a viable solution to the conflict without inadvertently endorsing the notion that changes can be imposed by force.

After the summit, Ishiba briefed reporters on his concerns, calling for a united front among G-7 members to pursue a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine. He reiterated Tokyo’s commitment to supporting Kyiv, continuing sanctions against Moscow, and ensuring that the language in official statements accurately reflects the intended message, despite ongoing debates among officials regarding its wording.

In addition, Ishiba voiced strong opposition to any military collaboration between Russia and North Korea, highlighting the potential consequences such alliances could have on global stability. His remarks were part of broader discussions at the summit, which also featured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressing hope that Japan would take on an influential role in future peace negotiations. This session also marked the return of U.S. President Donald Trump to the international stage, reminding the world of the enduring focus on condemning Russia’s actions, despite disagreements over specific language choices in the group’s statements.