FM: Ukraine open to drone cooperation with Japan

Ukraine is open to expanding defence cooperation with Japan in the field of drones and unmanned systems, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, signalling Kyiv’s intent to leverage its battlefield experience to deepen both security and economic ties with international partners.

In an interview with Kyodo News published Friday, May Sybiha said Ukraine is prepared to share the expertise it has developed during Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.

Ukraine is "ready to share with Japan our experience gained on the battlefield," Sybiha said, adding that it is "open to interaction, based on the level of readiness of the Japanese side."

His remarks follow reports that Japan is considering adopting Ukrainian-developed drone technologies, refined during the war, as part of efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities.

Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, described as a national security hawk, Japan is seeking to expand its defence posture despite the constraints of its pacifist constitution, citing what it views as the most severe security environment since the end of World War II.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Japan has been exploring the potential introduction of Ukrainian-made drones, with a bilateral arms transfer agreement—designed to protect sensitive information—under consideration as a mechanism to facilitate such cooperation. The talks were reportedly initiated after Ukraine approached Japan.

Ukraine has already pursued similar defence partnerships with Gulf countries that have faced drone and missile threats, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, drawing on its counter-drone expertise.

Sybiha also emphasised Kyiv’s interest in advancing high-level political dialogue with Tokyo. He said Ukraine is "very interested in high-level, top-level dialogue," including a potential meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Takaichi on the sidelines of the upcoming Group of Seven summit in June. Japan’s previous prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, met Zelenskyy during last year’s summit in Canada.

The Ukrainian foreign minister added that he intends to visit Japan in the second half of the year.

Addressing broader geopolitical concerns, Sybiha warned against any relaxation of sanctions on Russian oil, particularly amid fears of global supply disruptions linked to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Israeli war with Iran.

"Now is not the right time to ease the pressure on Russia," he said, stressing the importance of maintaining leverage.

"Any decisions to ease or eliminate sanctions pressure on Russia are wrong, and they slow down peace efforts and the peace process," he added, describing the role of the United States as “decisive” in achieving peace.

By Tamilla Hasanova