Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Remarks by politician SUZUKI Muneo, a member of the Japan Restoration Party, have sparked controversy in Japan over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Since the invasion in February last year, Suzuki has made repeated statements calling for an immediate ceasefire, arguing that Ukraine was also to blame for the invasion.

Suzuki’s position differs greatly from that of the Japanese government, which calls for the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops.

Suzuki has served as the head of the Hokkaido and Okinawa Development Agency and was also the parliamentary vice minister for foreign affairs. He has been involved in negotiations with Russia for many years.

In an interview with Kyodo News, Suzuki commented on the current situation in Ukraine, saying that there is a clear difference in national power between Russia and Ukraine, and that “Ukraine cannot fight on its own (without support from the West). To avoid further bloodshed, both sides need a ceasefire, and in order not to increase the number of victims of the elderly, it is important to realize a ceasefire as soon as possible.”

According to Politico, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, said at a meeting in New York last November that a military victory for Ukraine could be difficult to achieve, adding that this winter period is a good opportunity to start negotiations with Russia.

Suzuki has similar beliefs and he noted that developing countries — called the Global South, whose presence has been increasing in recent years, have been calling for a ceasefire on both sides.

Suzuki said he was impressed by the international peace conference held in Jeddah earlier this month in which representatives of about 40 countries and international organizations took part.