Ukraine's ambassador to Japan says victory is on the way, but not without help. NHK sat down with Sergiy Korsunsky to talk about Russia's invasion, now 11 months in.

Korsunsky went home in December and saw what war has done to the country: crumbling buildings, limited access to water, and the prospect of facing the rest of winter without heat.

But he says those basic necessities are not what Ukrainians need most. He said to survive winter and to end Russia's invasion as quickly as possible, people need weapons.

The ambassador also commented on a question being asked around the world -- when will the invasion end?

He says with proper support from Ukraine's partners, he expects that Ukraine will be able to resume its counteroffensive in the spring, and to liberate its occupied territories before autumn.

But the ambassador says if active fighting does end in September or October, it won't be the end of Ukraine's hardships.

With Japan hosting G7 leaders this May, Korsunsky hopes there will be a window to discuss what comes next.

The ambassador says Japan can play a crucial role in setting up and running the financial platform that will be created for the reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine.

Korsunsky adds that Japan is in a unique position to understand what it's like to rebuild. And he hopes it will lend that expertise.