Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that it has agreed to start bilateral dialogue with Japan on the issue of security guarantees during the meeting he had with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in Kiev.

The Japanese minister held talks on the reconstruction of Ukraine during his visit to the country, as announced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Smygal.

“We discussed the prospects for cooperation on housing reconstruction, guaranteeing global food security, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and humanitarian demining,” he said after meeting with Hayashi.

The Japanese embassy released a video online showing the Japanese minister being received at a train station in Ukraine under the blazing sun.

Hayashi, who is also expected to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, accompanied by representatives of Japanese companies during this visit.

“Major Japanese companies are interested in long-term cooperation with Ukraine,” Shmigal said.

Tokyo has not offered military support to Ukraine because its constitution, adopted after World War II, limits its military capability to defensive measures.

While cooperating with Western powers to impose sanctions on Moscow, Japan provided Kiev with economic and humanitarian support.

The Ukraine it has already received $2.1 billion in macro-financial assistance from JapanSchmigal said.

Tokyo also sent defense equipment and welcomed people fleeing the conflict.