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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed a joint session of Congress on Thursday, praising America’s leadership on the world stage as “indispensable.”
Kishida is visiting Washington this week as the United States seeks to strengthen ties with allies in the Indo-Pacific amid mutual threats from China, North Korea and Russia.
In a speech to lawmakers, Mr. Kishida warned of these threats while trying to reassure Americans, saying he was experiencing “loss of confidence” and exhaustion in protecting the “international order.”
“As I often say, today’s Ukraine could be tomorrow’s East Asia,” the prime minister said.
“Without US support, how long will it take for Ukraine’s hopes to crumble under Moscow’s onslaught?” he asked. “To what extent will the Indo-Pacific face harsher realities without the US presence?”
His remarks were met with applause, but some Republicans, particularly Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, did not participate.
Kishida’s comments against Ukraine skeptics come as U.S. aid to allies fighting Russian aggression has stalled in political battles on Capitol Hill.
More than a year has passed since Congress approved aid to Ukraine.
The Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package in February, including nearly $60 billion in funds for Ukraine, but the bill has not yet been considered in the Republican-controlled House, and has been criticized by some conservative hardliners. The department opposes any further transfer of funds. To Ukraine.
Speaker Mike Johnson previously said the House would work on funding for Ukraine through “innovation” when lawmakers return from recess this week. But as of Wednesday, there was still little sign of progress on how to proceed.
“As you know, there are many different views on a very complex issue at a very complex time,” Johnson said at a press conference with other Republican leaders on Wednesday. “And the clock is ticking, and everyone here feels that urgency. But what we need to do is come to an agreement on that, and that’s what we’re working on. .”
Just before speaking to a joint session of Congress, Mr. Kishida met with Mr. Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
In his speech, Kishida noted that his country had announced that it would provide $12 billion to Ukraine as part of a NATO aid package and had imposed strong sanctions on Russia.
“Japan will continue to work together with Ukraine,” he said.
The prime minister also met with President Joe Biden and administration officials in the Oval Office on Wednesday. The two leaders also discussed defense partnership and economic cooperation, as well as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
Later, at a joint press conference in the Rose Garden, Mr. Biden praised Japan’s assistance and reiterated his call for Prime Minister Johnson to bring aid to Ukraine to a vote.
“The war in Ukraine will end when the House leadership authorizes a vote,” Biden said. “There is overwhelming support for Ukraine among Democrats and the majority of Republicans. A vote should be held now.”
During the visit, Mr. Biden and Mr. Kishida announced new efforts to upgrade the military’s command and control framework, a forum for joint development and production of missiles, a new space agreement, and efforts to address climate change. .
The red carpet was rolled out for Kishida on Wednesday night when the Bidens hosted a state dinner at the White House. There, Mr. Biden and Mr. Kishida toasted with a message of unity.
On Thursday, Mr. Biden is scheduled to host a tripartite meeting with Mr. Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. A senior official told ABC News that the talks would allow the three sides to stand “shoulder to shoulder” as China exerts “extraordinary pressure” in the south. China Sea.
Kishida spoke of his strong ties to the United States, dating back to his childhood in Queens, and told lawmakers that Japan is “ready to do what it takes” to help the United States protect democracy and deter aggression. He spoke to the following people.
The Prime Minister said: “You are not alone. We are with you.”
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