Japan calls for strong US leadership in Ukraine conflict as European support wavers

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has stressed that Ukraine's ability to sustain its fight against Russia heavily depends on continued support from the United States, particularly in terms of weaponry and critical intelligence. 

"If the assistance with weapons, assistance with information from the U.S. stops, this war will continue, and more and more in favour of Russia," he stated, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media sources.

Ishiba went on to express scepticism about the ability of other Western powers, including Britain and France, to bring the conflict to a resolution without the involvement of the U.S.

"The U.S. is indispensable to ending this war, and without it, the situation will increasingly favour Russia," he added.

Within the G7, Ishiba observed a growing sense of division between the United States and European countries over how to approach the crisis. He emphasized Japan's commitment to finding a way to ensure that U.S. involvement continues. "We cannot simply choose sides between Ukraine and Russia," Ishiba remarked, urging efforts to maintain the unity of the G7.

Earlier, Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya echoed similar concerns, acknowledging the importance of the U.S. initiative in breaking the deadlock in Ukraine's conflict.

"It is a fact that the U.S. initiative has begun to move the situation that was at a standstill, and the international community must unite to ensure that this will bring positive results," Iwaya said.

He also stressed that all involved parties must "join forces and work hard to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible," although he did not address the suspension of U.S. military aid to Kyiv.

The U.S. government's position on military support has shifted in recent days, with President Donald Trump ordering a suspension of all military aid to Ukraine following a dispute with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on February 28. The suspension, which came into effect on March 4, includes all U.S. military equipment not already in Ukraine, such as weapons transported by planes and ships or awaiting shipment in transit zones in Poland.

Additionally, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed the suspension of intelligence-sharing between the U.S. and Ukraine.

By Tamilla Hasanova