JCP Chair issues a statement on the UNGA resolution as Russia's war of aggression marks 1st anniversary

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on February 24 issued a statement after the adoption of a United Nations resolution demanding an immediate withdrawal of Russian military forces from Ukraine and underscoring the need to reach a lasting peace in the country in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter. It was adopted at a UN General Assembly on the occasion of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The full text of Shii's statement is as follows:

The world needs to unite and urge Russia to abide by the UN Charter as it provides a path to end the war- an inclusive framework for peace, not military confrontation, is urgently called for

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo

February 24, 2023

At an emergency special meeting of the United Nations General Assembly held on the occasion of the first anniversary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, a resolution which "underscores the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations" and "calls upon Member States and international organizations to redouble support for diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, consistent with the Charter", was adopted with support from 141 countries.

The Japanese Communist Party wholeheartedly welcomes the UN resolution and demands an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Russian military forces from Ukraine.

The UNGA resolution highlights the importance for members of the international community to unite and jointly call on Russia to abide by the UN Charter rather than creating a division among world countries according to values such as "democracy or autocracy".

The JCP stresses that efforts to decisively pursue this direction and a greater number of countries supporting it will be the most powerful push for an end to the cruel and unlawful war of aggression.

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who is implementing a military build-up of an unprecedented scale, often uses Russia's unlawful war of aggression as justification for it, saying, "Ukraine is tomorrow's East Asia."

Needless to say, the responsibility of the war lies with Russia's act of aggression. However, the war came against the backdrop where both NATO countries and Russia disregarded the existing framework for peace, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) which includes Russia, as well as its 1999 charter calling for the peaceful settlement of disputes. They were trapped in a spiral of military escalation.

Military alliances and military blocs do not make peace. This is the lesson from Europe's experiences. As the JCP has proposed in its diplomatic vision, Japan with the pacifist Article 9 of the constitution should cooperate with ASEAN nations and strengthen the framework for peace, the East Asia Summit, which includes all states in the region. That is the path toward a lasting peace in East Asia.