Russia is the “most immediate threat” to international order because it invades Ukraine. On Thursday, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said this in Tokyo.

“Russia poses the most immediate threat to world order today with its barbaric war against Ukraine and its disturbing pact with China,” said von der Leyen after a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and European Council President Charles Michel.

On Thursday, the two EU leaders were in the Japanese capital for an annual round of talks between Japan and the EU. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a matter for Europe and shakes the heart of the international order, including in Asia. This should not be tolerated,” said Kishida, whose government has joined the Western sanctions against Moscow.

Beijing’s increasingly muscular stance in Asia was also on the agenda. The EU has pledged to play a greater role against the Chinese regime. “Our cooperation in Ukraine is essential in Europe, but it is also important in the Indo-Pacific region. We want to deepen our consultations on an increasingly assertive China,” underlines Charles Michel.

Von der Leyen further emphasized that the EU and Japan are strengthening their cooperation by establishing a digital partnership that will focus on competitiveness and security. She added that both sides would also work to “diversify and strengthen” their supply chains.