What the US midterms could mean for Ukraine
For months, Ukraine has faced mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, as he seeks to secure political gains ahead of the November midterm elections. With both chambers of Congress at stake on Nov. 3, the key question is how heavily Republicans will lose — and whether the scale of any setback will be enough to shift Washington's foreign policy. The vote comes at a low point in…
The upcoming U.S. midterms in November may significantly influence Ukraine's foreign policy, as the results could determine the strength of a sympathetic congressional majority. With both chambers of Congress up for grabs, the key concern is the extent of any Republican losses. A Democratic victory might provide Ukraine with a more supportive Congress, potentially resulting in greater scrutiny of President Trump's foreign policy decisions.
However, experts suggest that despite a Democratic win, President Trump would likely retain control over U.S. foreign policy.
While a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives is widely expected, gaining control in the Senate is more challenging, requiring a majority in 51 out of 100 seats. Even with a majority, Republicans can still block legislation through a filibuster, as 60 votes are required to pass crucial bills. This hurdle has prevented Congress from consistently overriding presidential vetoes, particularly in foreign affairs.
Nevertheless, a Democratic-led House could use this leverage by incorporating Ukraine-related measures in must-pass legislation, such as defense appropriations bills or the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). However, the effectiveness of such action would depend on whether President Trump would veto these bills despite their potential impact on Ukraine.
In the past, Trump has overridden Congress despite their intentions, as demonstrated by his decision to issue waivers for Russia sanctions and delay military aid to Ukraine, even after Congress had already authorized it.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
