Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that he hopes the Democratic victory in the United States mid‑term elections will bring increased backing for Kyiv and help end Russia’s war of aggression.
Speaking to German broadcaster ZDF, Zelensky said a shift in the U.S. political balance could prompt “strong financial support or military support” from Congress, which he believes would “influence Putin.”
“There is hope now that there is this balance of power, and that we will be supported more,” Zelensky told ZDF.
The president added that greater U.S. assistance would force Russian President Vladimir Putin to weigh the costs of continuing the conflict, potentially leading “to possible negotiations and a possible peace.”
Zelensky’s remarks follow concerns among Ukraine and its European allies that the United States might move closer to Russia after former President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year. Relations between Trump and Zelensky have been turbulent, with recent criticism of Kyiv and a Trump‑brokered deal with Putin to ease sanctions in exchange for Russian diesel.
U.S.–mediated Russia‑Ukraine talks are slated for next week in Abu Dhabi, after being frozen since the Middle East war erupted in February. The negotiations are being led by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son‑in‑law Jared Kushner, despite criticism of their approach toward Russia.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>