Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan says the referendum regarding the annexation of Ukrainian territories that Russian-backed forces carried out in occupied parts of Ukraine and Russia’s intent to annex these areas is a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and a violation of international law.

“This should not be allowed, and I strongly condemn it,” Japan’s Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa said on Friday.

Replying to a question by Arab News Japan at Friday’s press conference, Hayashi said Japan cannot overlook Russia’s attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by the use of force and will continue to cooperate with the international community to take measures, including strong sanctions, against Russia and will continue its support for Ukraine.

On September 26, Japan implemented measures to ban the export of supplies related to the production of chemical weapons.

Hayashi said Japan was keeping its options open regarding more sanctions: “As for further sanctions towards Russia, taking into consideration its recent actions we will take appropriate measures in cooperation with the international community.”

Russia said it would formally annex four regions of Ukraine at a grand ceremony in Moscow on Friday. President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the annexation would be formalized at a ceremony in the Kremlin. The Russian leader will make a “major” speech, he added.

According to TASS, Russia has recognized the independence of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions “based on universal principles and norms of international law, acknowledging and confirming the principle of equality and self-determination of peoples enshrined by the UN Charter, and with regard to the will of the people expressed in a referendum.”