Key Facts
• On September 9, a lecture was held in Osaka by Tsutomu Saito.
• The event was organized by the Kansai Mid-Sized Enterprises Association.
• Saito analyzed Russia’s reliance on China and North Korea amid the Ukraine invasion.
• He described Putin’s position at the September 3 Beijing event as ’embarrassing.’
• The event marked the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in WWII.
• Leaders Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, and Vladimir Putin attended the ceremony.
• Saito highlighted Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries as a strategic move.
• He noted this targets Russia’s vulnerability as an oil-producing nation.
Summary
At a lecture in Osaka on September 9, Tsutomu Saito, editorial writer for Sankei Shimbun, discussed Russia’s precarious position amid its invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized Russia’s growing reliance on support from China and North Korea, describing President Vladimir Putin’s presence at a September 3 Beijing event as ’embarrassing.’ The event, commemorating the 80th anniversary of China’s WWII victory, was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Saito also pointed out Ukraine’s strategic attacks on Russian oil refineries, exploiting a key vulnerability of the oil-producing nation.
