Japan is poised to allocate a further $3 billion {dollars} from frozen Russian belongings to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on Dec. 25.

In a cellphone name with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Japan's earlier support to Ukraine, which has totaled $12 billion and "makes it potential to save lots of hundreds of lives."

"I instructed Prime Minister Ishiba about Russia's large shelling of Ukraine's power infrastructure on Christmas night time and thanked Japan for its readiness to work towards reaching a simply and lasting peace as quickly as potential," Zelensky stated.

Ukraine acquired $1 billion from Japan and the U.Okay. by the World Financial institution’s Progress Foundations Growth Coverage Mortgage (DPL) program on Dec. 24. The funds are supposed to be used within the social and humanitarian spheres.

Zelensky additionally met with Japanese Overseas Minister Takeshi Iwaya throughout his go to to Kyiv again in mid-November. The 2 reportedly mentioned Japan's rising concern over the reported presence of North Korean troops on the entrance line in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

Iwaya additional underscored Japan's dedication to deepening its relationship with Ukraine, highlighting plans to develop financial cooperation and implement extra sanctions in opposition to Russia.

Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack against energy grid on Christmas morningRussia launched more than 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and over 100 drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. More than 50 missiles and “a significant number” of drones were shot down, he added.The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert