“Putin lost this election”: political scientist Alexander Leonov explained how the victory of the Democrats in the US could affect Ukraine

The strengthening of the Democratic Party’s position in the midterm elections to the US Congress may significantly change American policy towards Ukraine and Russia. In particular, it concerns the possible resumption of military and financial assistance to Kyiv, strengthening of sanctions against Moscow and limiting Donald Trump’s ability to negotiate with the Kremlin without taking into account the position of Congress.

This was stated in an exclusive commentary by political scientist, executive director of the Center for Applied Political Research “Penta” Alexander Leonov to Femida.ua.

“The main consequence of these elections is that Putin lost them”

According to the expert, the preliminary results of the American elections demonstrate a significant strengthening of the position of the Democrats, in particular in regions where Republicans traditionally prevailed.

Leonov believes that the vote has become a kind of assessment of Donald Trump’s policy and may influence his further decisions.

“These elections can actually be considered a referendum on Trump. And Trump failed it,” the political scientist noted.

At the same time, according to the expert, the most tangible consequences of the elections may be for the Russian leadership.

“It seems to me that the main consequence of these elections, which we can already talk about now, is that Putin lost them,” Leonov emphasized.

He explained that one of the Kremlin’s strategies was to establish direct contacts with Trump to discuss economic cooperation and possible easing of sanctions. At the same time, Russia, according to the political scientist, could use negotiations as a way to stall for time.

However, the strengthening of the role of Congress may significantly complicate the implementation of such agreements.

The US may resume military and financial assistance to Ukraine

Alexander Leonov does not rule out that the new balance of political forces in Congress will allow us to return to the issue of direct American support for Ukraine.

According to him, representatives of the Democratic Party may initiate discussions on the restoration of military and financial funding.

“I don’t know in what volumes, they don’t talk about the volumes, but, you must admit, even a symbolic increase in aid, or rather its renewal, in the amount of several billion at least, will be a serious enough signal for Europe,” the expert explained.

The political scientist noted that Washington’s decisions may also affect the positions of European states. In particular, some political forces in Europe are using the reduction of American aid as an argument for reviewing their own support programs for Ukraine.

According to Leonov, even a partial resumption of funding could be an important political signal to international partners.

The expert also suggests the possibility of returning to discussing the lend-lease mechanism, which would allow Ukraine to plan to receive military aid for a longer period.

“Perhaps it will really be possible to talk about the renewal of both military and even financial aid to Ukraine,” he noted.

Congress may tighten sanctions against Russia

According to the political scientist, the election results may change the United States’ approach to sanctions policy towards the Russian Federation.

In particular, Congress is able to strengthen control over the decisions of the Trump administration and limit the possibilities for economic agreements with the Kremlin.

Oleksandr Leonov believes that against the backdrop of massive Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, American lawmakers could return to the issue of recognizing Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

“We can raise the issue of adopting a bill on Russia, recognizing it as a state sponsor of terrorism,” the expert noted.

According to him, such a decision, if adopted, would significantly change the legal and political conditions of Washington’s interaction with Moscow.

At the same time, we are currently talking about a possible initiative, and not about a law adopted by American lawmakers.

Democrats may increase demands on the Ukrainian authorities

Oleksandr Leonov also drew attention to the fact that the potential resumption of American aid could be accompanied by increased attention to internal reforms in Ukraine.

In his opinion, Democrats can more actively raise the issues of combating corruption, the independence of anti-corruption bodies and the efficiency of state institutions.

“Democrats can start talking about those things that Trump preferred not to talk about when he put something in line with aid, for example, the fight against corruption, strengthening the independence of anti-corruption bodies,” the political scientist explained.

He noted that these issues traditionally occupy an important place on the political agenda of the Democratic Party.

Therefore, new opportunities for receiving aid may be accompanied by additional requirements for transparency and reform.

Will Congress be able to limit Donald Trump’s decisions

The political scientist emphasized that the US president has significant powers in the field of foreign policy, but they are not unlimited.

The American Congress can influence international policy through budget decisions, sanctions legislation, parliamentary control and investigations.

“The President of the United States has very broad powers for foreign policy, but they can be limited