JCP Chair condemns Russia's aggression against Ukraine

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on February 24 issued a statement titled, "The Japanese Communist Party strongly condemns Russia's aggression against Ukraine - Russia must immediately cease military operations". Copies of the document were sent to the embassies of Russia, Ukraine, and other countries concerned in Japan. The full text of the statement is as follows:

The Japanese Communist Party strongly condemns Russia's aggression against Ukraine - Russia must immediately cease military operations

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo

February 24, 2022

Russia on February 24 sent its troops into the breakaway Eastern Ukrainian regions in which Moscow unilaterally recognized their "independence" and launched attacks on Kyiv, Odessa, and other Ukrainian cities as well as military facilities in the country. The Japanese Communist Party strongly condemns this act as it is an obvious act of aggression infringing on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and in violation of the United Nations Charter and international law. The JCP demands that Russia immediately stop military operations and return the troops to Russia. The JCP calls on the international community to unite against Russia's invasion of Ukraine and persuade Moscow to desist from further military operations in Ukraine.

President Putin in his address on the same day claimed that the latest military offensive was in response to the "request" for intervention from the Eastern Ukrainian regions and in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter stipulating the "right of collective self-defense". However, no country can exercise the self-defense right collectively with regions or groups which it unilaterally recognizes as an independent state. This is a reckless and baseless argument not supported by international law.

The president also said that he will strive for the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine, which suggests that Russian troops will be deployed throughout the country. The Russian Defense Ministry has announced that it attacked military facilities across Ukraine. The JCP harshly denounces Russia's stance disregarding Ukraine's status as an independent and sovereign state.

In going ahead with an invasion, President Putin stressed that Russia is a nuclear power, showing defiance and downplaying the criticism from and sanctions imposed by the West. Threatening other countries with nuclear weapons is totally unacceptable in the world today. The JCP condemns this stance with full force.