Photo/Illutration Sergiy Korsunsky, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Japan, speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 25. (AP Photo)

The Ukrainian ambassador to Japan is urging China to join international efforts to stop the Russian “massacre” in his country amid Beijing’s lack of criticism of Moscow’s actions.

“We would very much welcome that China exercises its connection with Russia and talks to Putin and explains to him that it is inappropriate in the 21st century to do this massacre in Europe,” Ukrainian diplomat Sergiy Korsunsky told a news conference in Tokyo.

China has not criticized Russia over its actions against Ukraine, and has joined in verbal attacks on Washington and its allies.

“I do believe China can play a much more active role to work with Putin in a manner we expect for civilized countries to do,” he said.

Korsunsky also asked support from the United States and its allies to provide anti-missile defense equipment to fight Russian cruise missile attacks. He said Ukraine wants to join NATO and called for its support in resolving the conflict.

He told reporters Ukraine was well equipped to defend tank attacks but needed Stinger missiles and other anti-aircraft supplies to defend against cruise missiles raining down on the country.

Missiles pounded the Ukrainian capital on Friday as Russian forces pressed their advance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pleaded with the international community to do more, saying sanctions announced so far were not enough.

Korsunsky called on nations to impose the severest sanctions possible on Russia to pressure it to halt its assault on Ukraine.

He warned Europe is at risk of "nuclear contamination" if the Chernobyl plant, now under Russian control, is damaged or not properly maintained.

Russia's ambassador to Japan, Mikhail Galuzin, who spoke at a news conference several hours later, said he could neither deny nor confirm the plant had been taken by Russian forces and said safety was not a concern.

"I can assure you that everything will be done for safe and responsible handling of all the nuclear facilities that can be or may be in the area of the activity of the Russian forces," he said.

Referring to Japan's sanctions against Russia, Galuzin said he had recently notified a top Japanese official that there would be a response to Japan's actions, terming them a "mutually unbeneficial step."

"I suppose it will be a serious response from us," he said. "I am confident that, (by) taking such steps, the Japanese government does not contribute to the development of mutual and beneficial friendly relations between our countries."

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