Russia has expressed hope that President Donald Trump will maintain his approach to negotiations over Ukraine after Republicans lost the US midterm elections. Democrats are set to take control of Congress in January, prompting debate in Moscow over whether Washington will increase assistance to Kyiv or take a tougher position toward Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said preparations were already underway for another round of talks involving Russian, Ukrainian and US representatives, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. He also praised first lady Melania Trump’s involvement in a limited ceasefire last week around the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, which enabled aid deliveries and some civilian evacuations. Peskov described questions about congressional challenges to Trump’s policies as an American domestic matter.
Several recent decisions by Trump have appeared favorable to Moscow. Last month, he reached a diesel import agreement with Russia and urged Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries, blaming those strikes for higher US diesel prices even though the Iran war was the main driver of rising global energy costs. He also suspended sweeping new sanctions against Russia, citing the national interest and drawing criticism from lawmakers in both parties.
The diesel agreement encountered difficulties this week when US federal and state officials warned of potential legal consequences for handling shipments, and two tankers bound for the United States diverted. Moscow maintained that deliveries would proceed. Ukraine also reported a brief slowdown of Starshield, SpaceX’s military satellite internet service that supports Ukrainian drone operations and battlefield communications. Trump denied responsibility, although the restriction was widely viewed as pressure from Washington on Kyiv.
Ukraine is seeking more US-made Patriot interceptors to defend against Russian ballistic missiles. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly pressed for faster deliveries, while the Iran war has depleted American stockpiles and Washington has prioritized rebuilding its own supplies. On October 30, the administration announced approval of a proposed $2.1 billion interceptor sale after Kyiv accused the Pentagon of delaying delivery.
Trump has also portrayed Zelensky as an impediment to peace while suggesting Russian President Vladimir Putin was more receptive to an agreement. On Thursday, Trump spoke with Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, at a White House ceremony recognizing the humanitarian ceasefire. He did not meet Ukrainian officials attending the event and suggested that a broader European security agreement was being considered.
Some Russian observers expect Democratic control to make Trump more cautious. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy head of the Security Council, predicted that Trump would become less willing to pressure Ukraine because he would want to avoid another dispute with Democrats. Strong bipartisan backing for Kyiv could also allow Congress to pass additional assistance or sanctions with enough votes to overcome a presidential veto.
Zelensky told German broadcaster ZDF on Wednesday that Democrats had been particularly clear about supporting Ukraine. On Thursday, he said the election could improve prospects for further American assistance and faster Patriot deliveries. Former Putin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov argued that Moscow had missed an opportunity to negotiate before the vote and could now confront a less accommodating Washington.
Other observers cautioned that Congress may have limited influence. Atlantic Council Europe Center senior director Jorn Fleck said Democrats could push funding and scrutinize sanctions waivers, but would struggle to constrain presidential foreign policy powers. Russian parliamentary official Konstantin Kosachev predicted a more resolute Trump, freed from electoral concerns. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna likewise emphasized Trump’s authority over foreign and security policy and said unpredictability should be expected.
