National Security Media 🇺🇦

🇺🇸 U.S. Elections: Can the New Congress Stop Washington’s Drift Toward Policies That Benefit the Kremlin? Following the November 3 midterm elections, Democrats have gained control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress. This marks a significant political defeat for Donald Trump, but it does not guarantee a change in U.S. policy toward Ukraine and Europe. The new Congress will have greater opportunities to oversee the administration and influence defense budgets, sanctions, and military assistance. Meanwhile, Trump will remain president until January 2029 and retain substantial powers over foreign policy. In recent years, Ukrainian expectations of the United States have shifted to an almost absurd degree. Whereas Ukraine once counted on Washington’s support as one of the signatories to the Budapest Memorandum, Ukrainians now increasingly find themselves hoping that the United States will at least refrain from obstructing their country’s ability to defend itself. That Washington will not restrict intelligence sharing. Will not interfere with strikes against military targets inside Russia. Will not weaponize Ukraine’s dependence on American technologies, including Starlink, as a tool of political pressure. For Europe, these elections are another reminder that its security must not depend on the political climate in Washington. European countries must accelerate the development of their own defense industries, intelligence capabilities, satellite systems, and other critical technologies. Even a Democratic victory in Congress does not guarantee a return to a predictable U.S. foreign policy. At the same time, it is important not to equate all of America with the Trump administration. The United States still has influential politicians from both parties, military professionals, experts, and citizens who understand the threat posed by Russian revanchism. The transformation of the central question Ukrainians ask Washington is particularly revealing. We used to ask: “Will the United States help Ukraine defeat Russia?” Now, increasingly, we ask: “Can the United States at least stop standing in Ukraine’s way as it strikes back against the aggressor?” The very fact that Ukrainian expectations have changed so dramatically reflects a profound crisis of trust — one that elections alone cannot resolve.