Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky, in a joint press conference with US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, called Russian President Vladimir Putin “delusional” on Wednesday and said the Russian leader was not someone with whom a peace agreement could be reached.

“To negotiate or to agree on something you need a second party, but you don’t have it,” Korsunsky explained. A ceasefire, he added, would only give Putin a chance to re-arm and re-plan Russia’s attacks. 

From the Ukrainian side, the Ambassador said if there is to be a peace settlement, it should see the withdrawal of Russian troops, the establishment of a Ukrainian government over all its territory, punishment of war criminals, and full financial reparations.

Rahm promised Ukraine that the United States would continue with its support, despite wrangling in Congress in passing aid bills, and commented on similar support for Israel and Taiwan.

Rahm presented his Ukrainian counterpart with a thousand origami cranes, a symbol of peace in Japan.

Both ambassadors thanked Japan for its aid and assistance to Ukraine. “Japan can play a crucial role in reconstruction,” Korsunsky said.