Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Democratic gains in the US midterm elections could bring greater American support for Ukraine, as European leaders urged the new Congress to increase pressure on Russia.
American voters handed control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to the Democratic Party, in a setback for President Donald Trump and his Republicans.
Speaking to German broadcaster ZDF, Ukraine’s president said the result could strengthen Kyiv’s position in its war with Russia.
“I am also grateful to the Republicans, but the Democrats speak very clearly about supporting Ukraine and providing assistance to Ukraine,” Mr Zelenskyy said.
He added: “They speak about renewing the connection between the United States and Europe… Therefore, there is hope that a balance of power will emerge, and that we will receive more support.”
Mr Zelenskyy said stronger financial or military backing from Congress could influence Vladimir Putin. “If Congress now speaks of strong financial support or military assistance, as Europe is doing and demonstrating today, then that will be something positive that will have an impact on Putin,” he said.
European calls for pressure on Russia
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said she hoped the new Congress would continue supporting Ukraine while putting greater pressure on Moscow.
“Europe as well as US, we are much stronger together,” Ms Kallas said, arguing that joint pressure could help bring the war to an end.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz was more doubtful that the election result would alter Mr Trump’s approach. “Quite frankly, over the last two years, Trump has largely governed by bypassing Congress. Why should that be any different now?” he said at an event in Berlin.
Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, said the Democratic victory could provide “a new opportunity to launch a fresh initiative” aimed at ending the wars in Ukraine and Iran. He said he was “quite optimistic” that support for Ukraine, which has been reduced under Mr Trump, would receive more attention from lawmakers in both parties.
Other European officials warned that US foreign policy was unlikely to change swiftly while Mr Trump remained in office. Austria’s foreign minister, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, said European security and prosperity should not depend on how voters in individual US states cast their ballots.
Mr Trump has made several moves viewed as favourable to Russia in recent weeks, including a deal to import Russian diesel. He also waived sanctions on Russia that Congress had overwhelmingly approved as part of legislation supporting Ukraine, while Kyiv has accused Washington of delaying deliveries of interceptor missiles.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia hoped Mr Trump would continue his “peacemaking efforts”, regardless of the election result.
Democratic aides have said helping Kyiv would be a priority when the party takes control of the congressional agenda in January. Diplomatic efforts, however, are already under way.
Steve Witkoff, Mr Trump’s envoy, said Ukrainian and Russian delegations would meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11 to discuss ending the war and security arrangements for Ukraine.
Mr Zelenskyy said he had held detailed discussions with Mr Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Mr Trump’s son-in-law, ahead of the meeting. “The negotiations must move forward at full throttle to bring this war to an end as quickly as possible. Ukraine is ready to take the necessary steps,” he wrote.
