Several killed as Ukraine, Russia continue to trade strikes

If Democrats secure a majority in both the House and Senate during the upcoming US midterms, they could potentially restore Ukraine's American aid and limit President Donald Trump's efforts to ease tensions with Russia, according to a Reuters analysis. The stakes are high, as Ukraine's current supplies of direct US aid have dwindled since President Trump halted them.

Additionally, Trump has recently lifted sanctions on Russian energy and agreed to bring Russian diesel back onto the global market, actions that have drawn criticism from both parties. With control of both chambers, Democrats could introduce new Ukraine aid legislation, and given the bipartisan support this aid has garnered, it could pass with the necessary two-thirds majority to override a potential veto from Trump.

Other actions are also possible, such as Representative Gregory Meeks, who will likely chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introducing bipartisan legislation to prevent the resumption of Russian diesel shipments. Democrats are also more inclined than Trump's Republican counterparts to curb military spending. They successfully blocked Trump's request for a 67% increase in the military budget to $1.5 trillion in the Senate and anticipate trying to restore the aid that Trump has either withheld or canceled.

However, Democrats must be aware of their limitations. Even with control of Congress, a presidential veto would still stand in their way, requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber to override. This has already been demonstrated in the Iran situation, where Trump launched a war without congressional approval, and his administration disregarded a War Powers resolution passed with minimal Republican support.