Responses of other countries to Russia: "We will not tolerate aggression"

　The United Kingdom has hastily supplied a significant number of antitank missiles to Ukraine.

　Of the three Baltic states, Latvia and Lithuania have begun to provide man-portable surface-to-air missiles, while Estonia has joined the UK in providing antitank missiles.

　The U.S. has expressed its approval of these actions, but has not directly provided any active military assistance to Ukraine. It has, however, advanced its forces as far as Romania, a NATO member. While the U.S. continues to actively negotiate, it appears to be uncertain how to proceed. President Biden was forced to clarify his position after a comment that seemed to suggest a "minor incursion" of Ukraine would be tolerated.

　In addition, some countries have decided to provide financing to Ukraine. In general, Western countries are supporting Ukraine to varying degrees and condemning Russia's military pressure.

　These countries have come together to signal that aggression by Russia will not be tolerated. In particular, the Baltic states are concerned that if Russia is permitted to invade Ukraine, their own country will be next. For historical reasons, Finland and other countries are also becoming more vigilant in the same context.

　On the other hand, countries like Germany have been unable to take a strong stance against Russia. Germany is in the process of shutting down all of its nuclear power plants. Under such circumstances, stopping the supply of natural gas from Russia via pipeline could lead to an energy crisis.

 Will Japan overlook the invasion of Ukraine?

　What is the status of Japan's diplomacy with Russia?

　On January 14th, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that he plans to visit Japan within a few months to negotiate a peace treaty. While there is no information from the Japanese side, no denial has been issued, so it is quite likely that arrangements are being made for his visit to Japan.