Tokyo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday signed a decree recognizing Japan’s claim to Russian-controlled northwestern Pacific islands that Tokyo calls the Northern Territories.

Zelenskyy said in a video speech that he reaffirms Ukraine’s respect for Japan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the Northern Territories, which are under Russian occupation.

Earlier on Friday, Ukraine’s parliament adopted a resolution recognizing the Northern Territories as Japanese territory.

The resolution said that Ukraine supports Japan’s position on the islands, calling on the international community to take all possible measures to establish the legal status of the Northern Territories as belonging to Japan.

The resolution did not use the expression, the Kuril Islands, which comprise an island chain called Chishima in Japan and the Northern Territories, that is common in the former Soviet bloc.

The resolution was apparently aimed at welcoming Japan’s support for Ukraine in the war against Russia, while encouraging Japan to form a joint front against Moscow.

In the video speech, Zelenskyy called for a similar resolution to be adopted around the world.

JIJI Press