AS UKRAINE crosses 600 days of its grinding “war of attrition”, a potentially significant new dynamic is opening up.

That is, the previously steadfast US support for Kyiv appears potentially now at risk from Washington’s political dysfunction. This may leave a critical gap that only Europe and its Western allies, including Japan, can try to at least – partially – fill.

To be sure, the Biden administration remains strongly supportive of Ukraine. Yet, there are growing concerns over Washington’s ability to help finance Kyiv’s war effort in coming months because of a recent deal struck to avert a US federal government shutdown.