Zelenskyy says he expects more US support after Democrats win Congress
Zelenskyy thanks Republicans who backed Kyiv, while the Kremlin calls any challenge to Trump's stance from the new Congress an internal US matter.
Democrats won both the House and the Senate in the US midterm elections on Tuesday and will take control of Congress on January 3. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expects more support from Washington. He thanked Republicans who stood by Kyiv and said Democrats speak clearly about backing Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called a possible challenge from the new Congress an internal US matter and said he hopes President Trump will continue his peace efforts. Talks involving Russian, Ukrainian and US representatives are planned in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Trump said he met Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Washington on Thursday and predicted a big agreement that, he said, might involve all of Europe.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council, predicted Trump would be less inclined to press Ukraine once the new Congress is seated. Jorn Fleck of the Atlantic Council said Democrats will struggle to impose meaningful limits on Trump's foreign policy. Al Jazeera reports that US aid to Ukraine has slowed to a trickle since 2025 and that Republican Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania lost his seat.
- $2.1 billionproposed sale of Patriot interceptors to Ukraine, approved Oct. 30 by the Trump administrationThe Boston Globe
- $83bnEuropean funding for Ukraine in 2025 alone, as Al Jazeera reportsAl Jazeera English
- $8.2bnUS military aid to Kyiv from October 2025 to March, per Al JazeeraAl Jazeera English
Three sides of the story
5 news outlets reported this
Tap a color or swipe sideways to switch sides.
Liberal3 outlets
Ukraine's cautious hope and Trump's limited room
Al Jazeera opens with a wounded drone technician, Kyrylo, who says Ukrainians have learned "not to depend on America," then turns to what Democratic control could bring: possibly restored aid, subpoenas and investigations into the Trump family. It quotes analyst Volodymyr Fesenko that Ukraine's positions "may become stronger" but bipartisan support must be kept. A New York Times piece, carried by The Boston Globe, bears the headline "Guarded optimism, and some jokes" and cites Ukrainian legislator Oleksandr Merezhko, who thinks Congress will act as a brake on Trump's efforts to cut deals with Putin.
It also quotes opposition politician Volodymyr Ariev urging Kyiv not to embrace Democrats openly, and Medvedev saying the defeat will probably not affect Russia's interests, "at least for now." The Boston Globe also ran a wire report on the Kremlin's hopes. The New York Times describes the victory as something that "could alter the course of peace negotiations."
Center1 outlet
Kremlin hopes Trump's Ukraine talks stay on track
The Seattle Times runs a wire report headlined "The Kremlin hopes the US election shake-up won't shift Trump's negotiations on Ukraine." It opens with Peskov, who voiced hope that Trump will continue his peace efforts and called the question an "internal matter" for the US. Under the heading "Trump's recent moves have appeared to favor Moscow," it lists a diesel import deal and a pause on new , and notes the approval of a proposed $2.1 billion Patriot sale.
A section on possible new aid quotes Zelenskyy that his "chances of getting additional assistance" may grow. Medvedev predicts Trump will be less inclined to press Ukraine once a new Congress is seated. Former Putin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov writes that "Putin's prospects have significantly worsened."
Atlantic Council's Jorn Fleck says hard limits on the president are unlikely. Russian lawmaker Konstantin Kosachev predicts "a more resolute" Trump.
Conservative1 outlet
Zelenskyy expects more US support after Democratic wins
The Washington Times reports that Zelenskyy expects more US support once Democrats won majorities in both chambers in Tuesday's midterm elections.
- The Washington Times: Zelenskyy expects more support in Washington as Democrats take House, Senate
Which side made the stronger case?
We will email you when the story continues. At most one email a day.
All sources: 7 articles from 5 outlets
Liberal (4)
- Al Jazeera English: Democrats’ congressional win could strengthen Ukraine’s hand against Russia
- The Boston Globe: The Kremlin hopes the US election shake-up won’t shift Trump’s negotiations on Ukraine
- The Boston Globe: Guarded optimism, and some jokes, in Ukraine over Trump’s midterm wipeout
Center (1)
- The Seattle Times: The Kremlin hopes the US election shake-up won’t shift Trump’s negotiations on Ukraine
Conservative (2)
- The Washington Times: The Kremlin hopes the U.S. election shake-up won't shift Trump's negotiations on Ukraine
- The Washington Times: Zelenskyy expects more support in Washington as Democrats take House, Senate
The evening briefing by email
One email a day, around 8:30 p.m. New York time: the seven main stories, each with its three sides, and the blind spot of the day. Unsubscribe with one tap.
A Telegram channel is coming soon.