Takaichi and Zelensky Hold First Call, Set Course for Deeper Security and Energy Cooperation

Overview

• Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since taking office, opening direct talks on next‑step cooperation.
• Zelenskyy said the discussion covered joint weapons production, stronger air defenses, energy support for winter, and coordinated pressure on Russia.
• Ukraine plans a controlled weapons export system and seeks partnerships for producing modern arms, according to Zelenskyy’s account of the call.
• Japan affirmed readiness to help Ukraine’s energy sector with equipment this winter and to expand work on reconstruction and recovery.
• Zelenskyy invited Takaichi to visit Ukraine as Tokyo sustains non‑lethal assistance under constitutional limits, builds on its mine‑action pledges, and maintains multi‑billion‑dollar budgetary support.