Compilation by Sahar Yaghoubi
On Saturday, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a violation of international law prohibiting the use of force and a threat to the Eastern European country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The ministers committed to work closely together to preserve the international order, Hayashi said at a joint news conference with Cavusoglu after their discussions in Antalya, southeastern Turkey, asking that Russian President Vladimir Putin put an end to Russia’s unlawful actions in Ukraine.
Yoshimasa Hayashi (L) and Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish Foreign Minister, pose for pictures before of their meeting in Antalya, southeastern Turkey, on March 19, 2022.(Photo courtesy of Japan's Foreign Ministry)(Kyodo)
Cavusoglu said that the highest United Nations decision-making body has been unable to assist Ukraine because Russia, as a Security Council member, has veto power, rendering the organization impotent in dealing with the Ukraine conflict.
“It is critical for the international community to react in harmony against Russia,” Hayashi added.
The summit took place as the US and other members of the Group of Seven industrialized nations increased economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Turkey, on the other hand, has rejected sanctions on Russia, despite President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s condemnation of Moscow’s aggression against its neighbor.
At Saturday’s meeting, Hayashi conveyed his “profound thanks and admiration” to Turkey for its diplomatic efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, leveraging both countries’ strong connections.
Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, has been attempting to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. They share a Black Sea boundary.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Turkey last week, facilitated by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to discuss Ukraine.
However, the first cease-fire negotiations between the two senior diplomats since the conflict began on Feb. 24 ended in failure.
Hayashi is on a four-day, two-nation travel until Monday, according to the Foreign Ministry. He will also visit the United Arab Emirates, where he hopes to see his colleague, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Sunday.
Japan has stepped up diplomacy in response to Russia’s onslaught on Ukraine, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visiting India and Cambodia this weekend for consultations with their leaders.
