Japan is set to release new sanctions against Russia as the war in Ukraine enters its third year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said as cited by local broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.

Leaders of G7 held a videoconference on Saturday marking the second anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. EU's President Ursula von der Leyen, Italy's Giorgia Meloni, Canada's Justin Trudeau, and Belgium's Alexander De Croo attended the call while in Kiev.

The prolonged fighting has put Ukraine in a "tough" situation and it is vital now to show solidarity with Kiev, Kishida said according to NHK.

On that note, the premier declared that supporting Ukraine will be among Japan's top 2024 priorities.

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The United States and the European Union announced the widest sanctions on Russia so far earlier this week, citing the continued war and the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny

Western sanctions on Russia since the start of the conflict covered all state-vital sectors, including blocking financial assets, restricting high-tech exports, and setting an official cap on the sale price of Russia's oil exports.

Failed to isolate

Japan backed Ukraine in the conflict by joining its allies and sanctioning Russia.

However, in June 2023, the prime minister stated that Tokyo would prioritize its national interests in its dealings with Moscow. He noted that being neighbors, Japan and Russia had areas of economic interaction.

A report by the New York Times last week signaled that in the two years since the Ukraine war began, the collective West has effectively failed to isolate Russia.

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While the Biden administration claims Moscow is more isolated than ever and has suffered strategic setbacks due to the war, evidence suggests otherwise.

Russia has strengthened economic and diplomatic ties with countries like China, India, Brazil, and Gulf states, which have increased purchases of Russian oil and deepened diplomatic relations. This boosted the Russian economy to grow by more than three percent last year and is expected to grow again this year.

"There is no way Russia is locked in," Michael Kimmage, a Cold War historian, told NYT. "He is not limited economically or diplomatically and conveys his message about the war."