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Foreign Minister Kamikawa visits Ukraine; pledges Japan's continued support

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Would any diplomat say, "we're discontinuing support"?

Real point's political will, given collapsing approval ratings of ALL policymakers backing Ukraine, like Kishida San etc. There's no country where military support for Ukraine is increasing, just the opposite.

Nobody believes in Ukraine pathway to military victory, other than those smoking some strong 'stuff'...

It's obvious a financial and military equipment 'slow walk' is underway to force the issue of peace settlement.

Reality's not always pleasant but to continue this strategy would make recovery that much more difficult.

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

EastmannToday 03:51 pm JST

how abt to do something different visit both ua and ru and push both sides to start to talk about PEACE???and stop to waste taxpayers money for nothing????

Peace can only be accomplished by a Russian withdrawal, so if that is the goal, she doesn't even need to add on the trip to Kyiv and can just stay in Moscow.

reality is simple.

UA have zero chance to win.

There is always a chance to not lose.

to say "support UA" means give money to Kiev junta with endless pockets.

The only junta in the picture is the Russian junta, always in danger of collapsing.

stop waste more taxpayers money now.come to your senses asap.

Never a waste to support a Europe free from Russian corrupting influence.

2 ( +15 / -13 )

HopeSpringsEternalToday 04:15 pm JST

Nobody believes in Ukraine pathway to military victory, other than those smoking some strong 'stuff'...

There is always a pathway to not losing.

It's obvious a financial and military equipment 'slow walk' is underway to force the issue of peace settlement.

We only know of MAGAs in Washington, Hungary, and Slovakia engaging in that disgraceful appeasement.

Reality's not always pleasant but to continue this strategy would make recovery that much more difficult.

Enslavement to Russia will make recovery of an independent Ukraine more difficult still.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

Devils in the details, how to keep Ukraine intact, stop the carnage, destruction and depopulation. While keeping Russia on 'good behavior' and respecting such deal.

What a tough negotiation, but when you have the top Ukraine general complaining publicly about lack of manpower, you know the end is very near.

Not clear Russia even wants to negotiated settlement, as multi-polar world's working out pretty for them thus far...

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Empty words from an empty “suit”…

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

Checkbook diplomacy (in country 404).

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

JJEToday 05:29 pm JST

Checkbook diplomacy (in country 404).

Still not clear on what Russia is these days other than a barbaric horde state.

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

HopeSpringsEternalToday 04:53 pm JST

Devils in the details, how to keep Ukraine intact, stop the carnage, destruction and depopulation. While keeping Russia on 'good behavior' and respecting such deal.

Thankfully kamikawa isn't going to say something nonproductive like the "end is very near".

-3 ( +10 / -13 )

What we can all probably agree upon, Ukraine no longer calling shots regarding financial and military assistance.

Politicians backing Ukraine busy with self-preservation, exit ramps etc. Backchannel discussions deep under way to resolve conflict ASAP. Probably Kamikawa's main objective = relaying negotiation developments, she's a trusted broker, likely seeking verbal concessions etc.

It's a necessary evil to end the madness.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Seems West badly under-estimated Russia and the strength of Mr. Putin's power. IMF estimates Russian per capita GDP to be $35,300. Russia is now a middle-income country, richer than Japan and this economic success accounts for much of Putin's popularity.

Russia has almost no sovereign debt, control over massive resources and tiny exposure to financial assets = economy built to weather inflation unlike its adversaries.

I'd encourage you all to read below by 2 American diplomats deeply familiar with Russia.

Newsweek

Why We Keep Getting It Wrong With Russia | Opinion

Story by Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell

Let's all hope and pray for global peace because ongoing conflicts never lead anywhere positive.

Good night.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

HopeSpringsEternalToday  06:12 pm JST

Good point and well put.

The west's sanction blitzkrieg fizzled and the Russian economy has grown - and diversified. All those western companies that pulled out of the Russian market effectively surrendered their assets, which have been taken over by locals.

Worse, the west has essentially shot itself in the foot because the sanctions had a boomerang effect. Look at the German economy, slowly declining (especially manufacturing) because the fools cut themselves off from Russian energy and resources.

Maybe the J-foreign minister should read those articles you posted. Sobering stuff.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

Russia is now a middle-income country, richer than Japan

Thanks for the stand up comedy!

Let's all hope and pray for global peace because ongoing conflicts never lead anywhere positive.

Empty words. If bully, totalitarian nations like fascist Russia did not illegally invade sovereign nations, the world would be a more peaceful place. Nothing to do with hoping and praying.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

Everyone, look closely at the Foreign Minister Kamikawa and her team in the pic above.

That's most informative in my book, seems clear grave matters regarding the 'going concern' of this conflict are well under way and the war's reality is setting in fast.

Let's all pray for her success in contributing to a positive lasting peaceful outcome that can see Ukraine recover quickly and Russia act honorably and recognize its need to rebuild trust in MANY corners of the world.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

The West backed the losing side in an unnecessary war that was provoked. The reality must be starting to set in.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

JJEToday 06:37 pm JST

HopeSpringsEternalToday  06:12 pm JST

Good point and well put.

The west's sanction blitzkrieg fizzled and the Russian economy has grown - and diversified. All those western companies that pulled out of the Russian market effectively surrendered their assets, which have been taken over by locals.

A market they should never have been in in the first place if we knew what fascism was brewing there.

Worse, the west has essentially shot itself in the foot because the sanctions had a boomerang effect. Look at the German economy, slowly declining (especially manufacturing) because the fools cut themselves off from Russian energy and resources.

Sounds like a problem for Germany, but not the US.

The West backed the losing side in an unnecessary war that was provoked. The reality must be starting to set in.

Provoked by Russia, yes. Anything that keeps Ukraine alive will be a postive for the West while Russia has to come to terms with ever more vietnams worth of dead.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Putin is a monster.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

HopeSpringsEternalToday 05:56 pm JST

What we can all probably agree upon, Ukraine no longer calling shots regarding financial and military assistance.

It was always based on the fortitude of the complacent US voter.

Politicians backing Ukraine busy with self-preservation, exit ramps etc. Backchannel discussions deep under way to resolve conflict ASAP. Probably Kamikawa's main objective = relaying negotiation developments, she's a trusted broker, likely seeking verbal concessions etc.

No one is discussing surrender because that is an outrageous thing to suggest. Even Xi doesn't suggest it.

It's a necessary evil to end the madness.

The only way it can be ended is by Russia withdrawing. I guess the condition for that is for Putin to take a short drop followed by a sudden stop.

Let's all hope and pray for global peace because ongoing conflicts never lead anywhere positive.

It will go on as long as Russia is carrying out a fascist land grab.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Why would Russia withdraw? It is winning.

-6 ( +11 / -17 )

The gist of this article appears to be reconstruction.

There is a major example of that underway right now. She should book a trip down to the city of Mariupol and see for herself the massive reconstruction project there - the place has risen from the ashes.

There is a YouTube channel by a young, English speaking guy called "Videos from Mariupol" in which he documents the changes there.

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

...will stress the importance of upholding the international order based on the rule of law

This is the "rules based order" they harp on about, which translates as US imposed rules only they can make and break.

She must not have got the memo - this neo-colonialist mindset is a relic of the unipolar world of the past. To be fair this is not particular to her. Many dinosaurs out there are having trouble adapting to the reality of multipolarity and are stuck in a timewarp.

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

No major european newspaper reported this news as a main article.

Japan has zero political weight in this matter.

This is just done for the domestic media from the LDP to show that they count something abroad.

Irrelevant in the large picture for sure.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

As mentioned she met FM Dmytro Kuleba. He was in little reported news earlier this week in which he indicated Kyiv can and would work with a hypothetical Trump administration from next January. Clearly hedging bets

Look it up. Certain quarters reacted poorly to his comments.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

You have literal in your face evidence of how govt. acts without taxpayers best interests or consent, to deliver funds to this foreign endless sinkhole, while in local reality some people in Ishikawa still don’t have power or running water.

Imagine what those kinds of funds would do for rebuilding, or aiding the displaced. Or, for any issue that concerns the people of Japan.

Priorities.

When people stop paying taxes en masse, govt. play money dries up, and ‘the employees of the people’ start behaving as such.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Political Cosplay...nothing more.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Russia has already lost this war

Having capturied parts of four regions? Losers? Do you know it's not evening yet? Kharkov, Zaporozhye, Nikolaev and Odessa are the nearest plans. Stock up on popcorn. Nothing depends on you

Apparently you are still impressed by the joke about a Russian tank on the Champs-Elysees....If so, then, indeed, Russia lost...But poh it

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Earlier this week, we got a glance into Ukraine’s budget needs for 2024.

PM Denys Shmyhal told assembled reporters that a “total of $42.6 billion of external financing was attracted in 2023.” He described 27 percent received was grant funds. He then said that Ukraine will need more than 37 Billion USD in 2024, and that it counts on “stable and timely assistance from international partners.”

More than UAH [ Ukraine Hryvnia] 1.1 trillion of taxes, fees and other payments went to the general fund of the state budget last year. We are directing all these funds to security and defense. We plan to spend more than UAH 750 billion this year on payments to military personnel. More than UAH 265 billion – for the purchase, production and repair of weapons.

The PM went on to describe key task remains to increase Ukraine’s own military production: The production capacity of the Ukrainian defense industry tripled in 2023. A new goal has been set for the current year – six-fold growth.

https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/958281.html

A little over two weeks ago, we learned via the Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance, that Ukraine’s state budget received 952.4 Million USD from Japan, via The World Bank. The Ministry said the money will be used to reimburse expenditures made out of the state budget of Ukraine for recovery and social assistance. The funding consisted of a 52.4 Million USD grant from Japan under the Housing Opportunities for People’s Empowerment (HOPE) project, and a 900 Million USD loan under the Investing in Social Protection for Improved Reach, Resilience and Efficiency (INSPIRE) project, ” the Ministry wrote.

Japan has now provided 3 Billion USD to Ukraine since the beginning of war, and now is the third largest donor country after the US and Canada.

https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/12/21/ukraine-receives-950-mn-from-japan-for-recovery-and-social-protection/?swcfpc=1

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

согласно демографии, Россия тоже находится в проигрыше.

If we take this issue without emotion, then Russia already won demographically. Several million Ukrainian citizens moved from Ukraine to Russia, considering Russia their homeland. Men, women as, excuse me, producers and their children. Some of them will remain in Russia after the russ victory. Some will return to Ukraine, but as part of Russia. Russia will go all the way in the direction of denazification.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

The elephant in the room is that certain western quarters are paying social security/pensions for that whole country.

From 2014 Kyiv stole the pensions of the south east. In other words they robbed from the factory workers, miners and other workers from that region. This was corrupt robbery on a grand scale. The corruption knew no bounds. The Donbas was abused.

Russia has guaranteed people their pensions (with interest).

0 ( +6 / -6 )

JJEJan. 7 07:55 pm JST

Why would Russia withdraw? It is winning.

There is always basic decency and not wanting to a pariah state.

There is a major example of that underway right now. She should book a trip down to the city of Mariupol and see for herself the massive reconstruction project there - the place has risen from the ashes.

And who caused the ashes? Russia is focused 100% on destroying Ukraine right now, so I don't see how they would have the money to build anything but a potemkin Mariupol on the ashes.

This is the "rules based order" they harp on about, which translates as US imposed rules only they can make and break.

She must not have got the memo - this neo-colonialist mindset is a relic of the unipolar world of the past. To be fair this is not particular to her. Many dinosaurs out there are having trouble adapting to the reality of multipolarity and are stuck in a timewarp.

Russia's not a pole. It's either the West's rules or China's.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

AureliusToday 12:35 am JST

Peace can only be accomplished by a Russian withdrawal,

No No No no !

Yes Yes Yes yes!

That's quite simply not accurate at all and perplexingly unrealistic.

There's more than one way to accomplish peace between Ukraine and Russia.

Countries don't just volunteer their territory to thugs.

It helps to have at least some situational awareness of current events and historical events of the region before spouting sensational rhetorical nonsense

It helps to not insult people at random without presenting any argument.

Doesn't appear to me either side is winning the war.

That's the objective in keeping Ukraine free.

Ukraine is getting chiseled down gradually on a downward trajectory .

It's a long way to Kyiv and the terrain isn't all open plains.

Russia isn't gonna give up.

Russia can surrender like any other country. They did it in 1917/18 and they did it again in Afghanistan.

We should all be thankful a nuclear disaster hasn't happened in Ukraine.

No yet anyways.

It's actually more important that thugs know what their limits are.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

KukuToday 12:24 am JST

Russia has already lost this war

Having capturied parts of four regions? Losers? Do you know it's not evening yet? Kharkov, Zaporozhye, Nikolaev and Odessa are the nearest plans. Stock up on popcorn. Nothing depends on you

Well they already tried and failed on Kharkiv and Mykolaiv. Odessa is on the other side of the country and Russians can't swim any better than Ukrainians can. Sounds like nothing depends on your fantasies.

Apparently you are still impressed by the joke about a Russian tank on the Champs-Elysees....If so, then, indeed, Russia lost...But poh it

No, we are embarrassed that this is what passes for education in Russia. Let in one time into Paris as part of a coalition 200 years ago and they think they can roll tanks into there today. Do not deny this is part of your fantasy.

If we take this issue without emotion, then Russia already won demographically. Several million Ukrainian citizens moved from Ukraine to Russia, considering Russia their homeland. Men, women as, excuse me, producers and their children.

Men and women are producers now? What does that say about fascist Russia?

Some of them will remain in Russia after the russ victory.

The concept of Rus is the same as the concept of Aryans. Its all filth.

Some will return to Ukraine, but as part of Russia. Russia will go all the way in the direction of denazification.

They didn't take out the nazis in Moscow so they are missing a bunch.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Donetsk City and Lugansk - millions of people - have the right of choice. That was made pretty clear in 2014.

Down there, the guy who leads Kyiv is about as popular as a black snake in a sleeping bag.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

JJEToday 04:03 am JST

Donetsk City and Lugansk - millions of people - have the right of choice. That was made pretty clear in 2014.

Down there, the guy who leads Kyiv is about as popular as a black snake in a sleeping bag.

The UN charter does not say they have the right to break off anymore than Chechnya can break off from Russia. Russia also has an obligation not to be a fascist state and steal territory.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Shout out to the Chechen people - always loyal for the greater cause. Their battalions have had a massive impact. They stood out in Mariupol against the Azov brigands - don't underestimate them. The Kadyrov group rebuilt the Orthodox Church in Mariupol brick by brick. Astonishing.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

The very good deal offered to certain quarters in Turkey in 22 is off the table. That will not come back.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

JJEToday 05:03 am JST

The very good deal offered to certain quarters in Turkey in 22 is off the table. That will not come back.

The Russian Fuhrer didn't offer anything. Miscommunication among his puppets.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The Istanbul Negotiations are on paper (Lavrov showed the document to the world) - someone with the initials ZK wrote on a page and effectively signed on.

Who was that?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

JJEToday 05:36 am JST

The Istanbul Negotiations are on paper (Lavrov showed the document to the world) - someone with the initials ZK wrote on a page and effectively signed on.

Who was that?

Doesn't matter. Lavrov is a clueless patsy. Putin rejected deals not including theft very early in the invasion:

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/exclusive-war-began-putin-rejected-ukraine-peace-deal-recommended-by-his-aide-2022-09-14/

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The "collective west" has unlet a very unsavoury genie out of the bottle. Corruption, nationalists, killings, banning languages, torch lit parades, veneration of nazi collaborators who engage in ethnic cleansing and worse.

This is what split the country. Certain parts will not partake.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

JJEToday 05:51 am JST

The "collective west" has unlet a very unsavoury genie out of the bottle. Corruption, nationalists, killings, banning languages, torch lit parades, veneration of nazi collaborators who engage in ethnic cleansing and worse.

If you are saying Russia is an unsavory genie, I think we can agree on that.

This is what split the country. Certain parts will not partake.

Russia split the country, Russia will pay in blood for anything not returned.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

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