KYIV - Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi expressed hope that Japan will provide Kyiv with air defense systems including interceptor missiles, as Russia intensifies its ballistic missile attacks four years and six months after launching its full-scale invasion.
"I would like to kindly ask one and only thing...anti-ballistic missiles," Koretskyi, who took office in July, told Kyodo News on Sunday. "It's the most important thing we need to protect our people, infrastructure...through this (winter) heating season."
"I very much hope (for) and count on your country," he added.
Ukrainian casualties have been on the rise as the country's stock of interceptor missiles declines, while peace negotiations brokered by the United States have stalled.
Japan revised its limits on defense equipment exports in April as the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a national security hawk, aims to strengthen the country's defense industry.
The revisions to the three principles on the transfer of defense equipment and technology require countries to sign agreements with Japan on protecting related classified information to be eligible for the transfer of lethal weapons. Arms exports to countries in which conflicts are taking place is, in principle, prohibited.
Even if an agreement for the transfer of defense equipment and technology is signed, the provision of interceptor missiles would need to be green-lighted by Takaichi.
"I do believe in our bright future and cooperation and partnership regarding the reconstruction and development of our country. Even now, we do not want to wait before the war (is) over," Koretskyi said, adding he hoped Japan could support Ukraine's postwar recovery.
He said he would like to visit Japan at some point and expressed hope that Takaichi would also visit Ukraine.
Ukraine's stock of Patriot interceptor missiles provided by a coalition of international partners, seen as crucial for Kyiv to counter attacks by Moscow, is expected to stand at 264 this year, down from 675 in 2023 and 364 in 2025, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The United States, which manufactures the interceptor systems, has struggled to supply more Patriots as stockpiles have been depleted due to its prolonged war against Iran.
Japan, a close U.S. ally, produces Patriot surface-to-air missile interceptors under a U.S. license.
