Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Kiev late Friday for talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, in which he is expected to offer support for the stabilization of the crisis-hit country.

Abe is visiting Ukraine, the first Japanese prime minister to do so, ahead of his participation in a two-day Group of Seven summit starting Sunday in Bavaria, southern Germany, according to Kyodo News Agency on Saturday.

Prior to his departure from Tokyo's Haneda airport Friday, Abe said he will express his resolve to contribute to a peaceful solution to the crisis in Ukraine and that he wants the G-7 to show unity in addressing global challenges such as the economy, climate change and infectious diseases, as well as regional issues in the Middle East and Asia.