FM: Ukraine open to joint drone production with Japan

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced on August 4 that Kyiv is prepared to cooperate with Japan in the development and production of drone technologies, drawing on Ukraine's wartime experience to contribute to mutually beneficial collaboration.

“Today, we are global leaders in drone manufacturing,” Sybiha said during an interview with Kyodo News in Tokyo. “We are ready to share our experience with Japan and work together on producing drones, for example, in a way that benefits both sides.”

Acknowledging Japan’s strict legal framework on weapons transfers rooted in its pacifist Constitution, Sybiha said drone cooperation could encompass a variety of models, from those designed for agricultural use to those serving intelligence-gathering purposes.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Japan has aligned itself with other G7 nations in supporting Kyiv, while also imposing economic sanctions on Moscow.

Sybiha, who succeeded Dmytro Kuleba as foreign minister in September, said Ukraine would adopt a “fair approach” in its postwar reconstruction strategy, denying opportunities to any country that has supported Russia during the war. He indicated this would apply to nations that continue purchasing Russian crude oil—an implicit reference to countries like China and India—and urged all states to stop importing Russian energy, which he described as “blood money” funding Moscow’s aggression.

Regarding China, Sybiha expressed hope that Beijing would step up its engagement in the peace process. “China has the capacity to play a larger role in resolving this war, and we hope it will support a ceasefire,” he said.

Sybiha was in Japan to attend a reconstruction cooperation forum on August 4, where 29 agreements were signed, covering a broad spectrum of sectors. He also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya for bilateral talks.

According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, Iwaya reaffirmed Tokyo’s support for Ukraine’s efforts to achieve a “just and lasting peace.” Sybiha, in turn, emphasised that Ukraine aims to deepen cooperation with Japan, noting that Russia’s war is having consequences not only for Europe but for the Indo-Pacific region as well.

Sybiha and other senior Ukrainian officials are scheduled to visit the site of the World Expo in Osaka on August 5, as part of their broader diplomatic mission in Japan.

By Tamilla Hasanova