From May 27 to 30, ICUV co-founders Hanna Hopko and Olena Halushka, along with partners from the New Europe Center Alyona Getmanchuk and volunteer Andriy Ordynovych, participated in a visit to Japan. This was the ICUV team’s second visit since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The main goal of the visit was to engage Japanese partners in supporting Ukraine in various formats ahead of several important international events, such as the G7 summit, the Peace Summit in Switzerland, and the Berlin Reconstruction Conference.

The key topics of discussion included Ukraine’s need to strengthen its air defence, the confiscation of Russian state assets in favour of Ukraine, assistance to Ukraine in restoring its energy sector, and Japan’s active involvement in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

“Japan consistently supports us and lends a helping hand during the most challenging moments. If we analyse the long-standing relationship between Ukraine and Japan, we will see that the country has repeatedly proven itself to be a true friend and partner of Ukraine. This support is not only financial and humanitarian, which we have felt since 2014, at the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, but also includes understanding the importance of Ukraine’s victory as part of the de-imperialization of the enemy”

— said Hanna Hopko.

During the visit, the advocacy team also participated in a rally in support of Ukraine, organized by members of the Ukrainian community in Japan. 

The visit was organised by the International Center for Ukrainian Victory with the New Europe Center and supported by the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine.