Europe Upbeat on Ukraine After US Midterm but Cautions Against Reliance on Washington

European Parliament vice-president Christel Schaldemose on Wednesday voiced cautious optimism about support for Ukraine following the US midterms. Schaldemose said the outcome could boost support for Ukraine, the green transition and Europe’s relations with the rest of the world, though not everything would automatically improve.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. She added that the EU must keep building its own strength and standing on its own feet. In the Nov. 3 midterms, Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress: 228 House seats against the 218 needed, and 54 Senate seats to the Republicans’ 44, according to AP News as of 4:57 p.m. Kyiv time. US President Donald Trump said he accepts the results and congratulated the Democrats, but he also signaled he would veto legislation he opposes. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who’s been at odds with Trump-friendly Polish President Karol Nawrocki at home, said after the statement that Trump “should not abuse the veto.” European reactions have focused on what the result means for Ukraine and NATO. Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, said voices closer to Europe on foreign policy and development aid are now emerging in US politics. Belgium’s defense minister, Theo Francken, said he would mainly watch trade, support for Ukraine and NATO. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said he expects “paralysis” in Washington but hopes Trump returns to his promise to end the war in Ukraine. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Eyes 7 EU Chapter Closures in Early 2027 Ukraine wants to open its final two EU negotiating clusters by December, but reforms and member-state approval remain crucial. European leaders also warned against reading too much into the result. Bernd Lange, who chairs the European Parliament’s trade committee, said more democratic influence in Washington could bring more predictability, but that US protectionism will not disappear. “The EU cannot live at Trump’s mercy,” he said. What are the midterms? The midterms are held midway through a US president’s term, two years after the presidential election, and decide which party controls Congress. This year voters elected all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats. They also serve as a barometer of public opinion on the president’s performance. Why does Congress matter? Congress writes federal laws, and controlling it determines how easily a president can advance his agenda. A party needs 218 House seats or 51 Senate seats for a majority. Democratic control gives the party a say over the president’s judicial and administration nominees, more weight in spending fights, and committee chairs with the power to subpoena officials. Why does it matter for Ukraine? For Ukraine, the vote came as Kyiv-Washington tensions reached an all-time high following the US’s diesel deals with Russia. On Oct. 16, Trump waived parts of the new Russia sanctions act, and the Pentagon delayed $400 million in already-authorized military aid for months. If Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries becomes speaker, Republican skeptics could no longer keep pro-Ukraine legislation off the House floor. The most concrete path for Ukraine runs through must-pass legislation such as the annual defense bill and spending bills. Lawmakers could attach Ukraine support to these. Oversight is the second expected gain. Committee control would let Democrats question officials over delayed Patriot shipments, Starlink disruptions in Ukraine, and the peace proposals pushed by Trump’s envoys. Representative Gregory Meeks, who could chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, pledged to “fix” the Graham sanctions law, including by blocking unilateral imports of Russian energy. Moscow appears to see the risk. Influential figures in Moscow likely see advantages in Republicans retaining control of Congress, particularly in turning Trump’s willingness to negotiate into sanctions relief. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Democratic leaders take a sharply negative approach to Russia, but that Russia’s line on Ukraine does not depend on other countries’ politics. Kyiv has avoided framing the vote in partisan terms. Before the election, Kyiv’s priority is keeping bipartisan backing in both chambers. Zelensky said on Oct. 25 that bipartisan support was stronger than at any point in the past year and a half. Analysts say the limits are real. Congress can pass a bill, but a veto can stop it, and overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers. Several Republicans who pushed back on Trump over Ukraine, including Mitch McConnell and Thom Tillis, are also leaving Congress. Democrats’ first 100-day agenda also focuses on the cost of living and the Iran war rather than Ukraine, lending doubt to immediate changes on Ukraine policies. The new Congress takes office in January, with Jeffries likely to become Speaker. Until then, the Republican-controlled Congress and Trump remain in place. Anastasiia BzovaAnastasiia Bzova is journalist covering politics, culture and current affairs. She focuses on delivering accurate, accessible reporting that helps readers understand the issues shaping their opinions.