Speaking to the US Congress, the Prime Minister of Japan called for the adoption of an aid package for Ukraine - otherwise its hopes will "collapse"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is on a state visit to Washington, DC, addressed both houses of Congress.

His speech was dedicated to what he called the "indispensability" of American leadership in the world. In this regard, he mentioned the fate of the $60bn package to help Ukraine.

The Congress has been unable to approve it for many months due to the opposition of the pro-Trump wing of the Republican Party, which has virtually stopped US military assistance to Ukraine.

"I want to appeal to those Americans who feel the loneliness and fatigue of the country that holds the world order," Kishida said. Without U.S. support, how quickly will Ukraine's hopes collapse under Moscow's pressure? Without the presence of the United States, when will the Indo-Pacific region face even more brutal realities?"

After Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Japan embarked on a massive rearmament and army building programme, despite its nominally pacifist post-war constitution.

According to US newspapers, Japanese politicians fear that if Donald Trump returns to the White House, he may be sceptical not only about US commitments to NATO members but also about its other allies, including Japan.

Background. As a reminder, British Prime Minister David Cameron also came to Washington to persuade US congressmen to help Ukraine: "In Tehran, in Pyongyang, in Beijing, they are watching us support our allies," he said.