How the Midterms Could Reshape the Ukraine War: What’s at Stake
A Democratic victory on Tuesday could boost Ukraine's voice on Capitol Hill.
As Americans cast their votes in the upcoming midterm elections, Ukraine is keeping a close eye on whether the results mirror polling trends and lead to a shift in congressional control towards the Democrats, who have been vocal supporters of the fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression. Throughout his second term, President Donald Trump's relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been a mix of public clashes and the president signing tough sanctions legislation against Russia from the Resolute Desk.
Matthew Arnold, a political expert from the London School of Economics think tank LSE Ideas, told Newsweek that sanctions, military support, and missile defense are at stake for Kyiv should the Democrats gain control of the House and Senate. Despite Trump retaining the power to shape U.S. policy towards Ukraine, a Democratic-led Congress could put fresh aid back on the table.
However, the immediate impact on Ukraine's ability to defend itself from Russian drones and missiles would likely remain minimal, as Boyechko, CEO of Hope for Ukraine, explained that the physical delivery of interceptors is hampered by defense production limitations and lengthy delivery lead times.
A new Congress might put pressure on the Pentagon to prioritize Ukraine and expedite the production of Patriot air-defense systems, though it cannot resolve the shortage overnight. American interference in Ukraine's military readiness has been inconsistent; for instance, Trump lifted restrictions on Russian diesel imports to alleviate gas prices, despite Congress authorizing $400 million in military aid.
Democratic control of the House could potentially facilitate new Ukraine assistance and sanctions packages if it leads to a Democratic Speaker of the House, such as Hakeem Jeffries. The Democratic Party's strong support for Ukraine in Congress, coupled with notable Republican backing, could pave the way for passing Ukraine aid packages through both chambers and directing them to President Trump.
However, despite a Democratic majority in one or both chambers, it remains uncertain whether such a move would be successful in addressing the current shortage of Patriot missiles, given the White House's persistent hardline stance on Ukraine.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
