Europe does not expect the US midterm elections to "save Ukraine"
European officials consider that the Democratic Party's victory in the 2026 mid-term elections cannot save Ukraine from the Trump administration's policy in favor of Russia. Speaking to Politico, the negotiators expect the Congressional victory to bring only limited gains in satellite access and air defense missiles, instead of comprehensive military aid.
European officials think that the victory of the Democratic Party in the congressional midterm elections to be held in the US in November will not radically change Ukraine's policy.
Speaking to Politico, five European officials involved in Ukraine negotiations agree that the election victory will not be enough to free Kiev from the line of President Donald Trump administration in favor of Russia.
If the Democrats win the election, they promise to investigate Trump's final steps and pass bills that will strengthen Ukrainian troops at the front.
European officials, whose opinions are included, are only waiting for limited gains such as restoring access to Kiev's satellite services and accelerating the delivery of air defense missiles.
European sources emphasize that even the most determined Ukrainian supporters within Congress will not be able to pass a large-scale aid package that will sharply increase military support.
One of the authorities conveys the general mood with these words:
“The election victory creates relief, but the question of how the US government will function remains open. It's like we've already seen everything.”
According to the news, even if they win Congress, the Democrats will be able to use their control powers over the executive body at the beginning of 2027, when the House of Representatives and the Senate will begin the new legislative period.
Despite the many internal issues that require attention so that Democrats can support Kiev, Ukraine needs to make it a priority agenda.
Democrat Adam Smith, a member of the House of Representatives, also points to these limits in an interview with CNN and evaluates, "Winning the election would be a good first step, but it is not enough."
Europe focuses on its own election calendar
The European side is also experiencing difficulties in maintaining the support given to Ukraine. The fact that some of the leading countries of the continent will be visited by the polls next year directly affects the decisions.
Speaking to Politico, one of the officials said, "Europeans do not rely that the victory of the Democrats will increase support for Ukraine. They are currently much more focused on taking the right steps before the major elections in countries, including France," he says.
Congressional midterm elections in the USA will be held on November 3, 2026. In the vote, all 435 members of the House of Representatives and approximately one third of the 100-seat Senate will be determined.
Politico had previously stated that European diplomats and officials were afraid of Donald Trump sympathizing with Vladimir Putin more than Volodimir Zelenskiy.
Some European officials associate the distant attitude towards Ukraine with the personal preferences of the US President.
The Washington Post, based on a former high-ranking US intelligence official, also wrote that Trump was close to supporting Putin's position. The source of intelligence bases Trump's attitude on his belief that Ukraine cannot win a military victory.
Trump, on the other hand, warns that if Zelenskiy does not want to reach an agreement, it will have "very bad consequences". Comparing Russia to a “non-stop big machine,” Trump suggests that the Ukrainian leader could have made peace a long time ago and “could have achieved a much better deal” if he had listened to him.
Trump argues that the US has given much to Ukraine, and in return, it receives nothing but "pain, death and huge financial losses".