Speaker Mori makes goodwill visit to Ukraine
Dr. MORI Eisuke, Speaker of the House of Representatives, made a goodwill visit to Ukraine on 14 and 15 September (local time). This was the first visit by a Speaker of the House since Russia's invasion in 2022, and he was accompanied by Dr. MORIYAMA Masahito, a Member of the House of Representatives and Japan's Parliamentary Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with Ukraine.
Visit to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
On Tuesday, 15 September (local time), Speaker Mori visited the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, laid flowers for those members and staff members of the Verkhovna Rada who lost their lives due to the war, met with Dr. Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada, and delivered an address in the chamber of the Verkhovna Rada.
The meeting started with Dr. Stefanchuk welcoming Dr. Mori and expressing his appreciation for Japan's support, including humanitarian assistance, as well as hope for further cooperation in other areas.
Dr. Mori then expressed deep respect for and solidarity with the people of Ukraine, noting that they had not only withstood attacks by Russia for four and a half years but also had gone on the offensive in some areas. He added that Japan would provide as much support as possible.
Following the meeting, Speaker Mori spoke to the press at a joint press conference with Chairperson Stefanchuk.
In his address to the Verkhovna Rada, Dr. Mori explained that while engaging in politics, including his activities at Japan's Parliamentary Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with Ukraine, he had always felt a special affinity for Ukraine. He then stated that he visited Ukraine to reaffirm to Japan and the international community that Japan stands with Ukraine. He noted that Japan and Ukraine have some attributes in common, including their location as countries adjacent to Russia and their experience of serious nuclear disasters. He also suggested that Japan's knowledge acquired through overcoming major disasters such as the earthquake and tsunami of 2011would be of value in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts. He then expressed Japan's hope and determination to move forward into the future with Ukraine, making the most of their respective strengths in a wide range of fields, including energy, science, technology, agriculture, culture and art.
Speech by Speaker Mori, to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Text of the Speech (PDF:107KB)
Video of the Speech (Courtesy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine)
Meeting with President Zelenskyy
On the same day, 15 September (local time), Speaker Mori met with H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.
The President first welcomed Dr. Mori's visit to Ukraine and then expressed his appreciation for Japan's support.
Dr. Mori conveyed that the will of the House of Representatives of Japan remains unchanged from what was expressed in its resolution, to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as to reject changes to the status quo by force. The Speaker observed that the President personally appearing on television immediately after Russia's invasion, demonstrating his determination that the people of Ukraine would stand together in resistance, had shaped Ukraine as it is today. Speaker Mori affirmed that Japan remains committed to supporting Ukraine.
Meeting with Prime Minister Koretskyi
On Tuesday, 15 September (local time), Dr. Mori met with H.E. Mr. Sergii Koretskyi, Prime Minister of Ukraine.
Expressing his appreciation for Dr. Mori's visit, the Prime Minister stated that the visit demonstrated that Ukraine had friends who stand with Ukraine in its fight.
Dr. Mori conveyed his respect for the courage and patriotism of the people of Ukraine who continue to fight with Russia. He also highly valued the scientific and technological capabilities of Ukraine, which has come to be a world-leading drone producer as it continues to fight.
Speaker Mori also exchanged views with members of Ukraine's Parliamentary Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with Japan, including its coheads, Dr. Galyna Mykhailiuk and Mr. Yaroslav Zheleznyak, on 15 September (local time), and visited the National Technical University of Ukraine on 14 September (local time) and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv on 15 September (local time).
