Is Ukraine the Biggest Loser in the US Midterm Elections?

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, visiting New York, USA in 2019. (Photo by AFP)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Ukraine is reportedly concerned that if the Republican Party gains more power in the U.S. Congress following the midterm elections on the 8th, it could hinder U.S. support policies for Ukraine, according to the U.S. political media outlet Politico on the 7th (local time).

Far-right members within the Republican Party have expressed their intention to halt funding for Ukraine ahead of the elections. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Republican House member, declared during a speech in Iowa on the 3rd, "If the Republicans win, not another penny will go to Ukraine."

Kevin McCarthy, the Republican House Majority Leader, also stated in a recent interview with the U.S. media Punchbowl News that if the Republicans win the House midterm elections, they will not automatically agree to Ukraine aid bills.

He emphasized, "I don't think people who are entering a recession next year will write a blank check to Ukraine," adding, "Ukraine is important, but at the same time, (unconditional support) cannot be the only option."

Various polls released ahead of the elections show a clear trend of Republican gains. If the Republicans win control of either the Senate or the House, the momentum behind President Biden's Ukraine support policies is likely to weaken significantly.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, former Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and current opposition lawmaker, said, "We hope Ukraine will not become a victim of partisan disputes happening in the U.S.," adding, "The Ukraine war is closely monitoring the midterm election results due to its high dependence on the U.S."

On the other hand, there are claims that opposition to Ukraine support within the Republican Party is not substantial. Pavlo Klimkin, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister, expressed confidence that support for his country will continue even after the midterm elections.

For example, when a $40 billion military and humanitarian aid bill for Ukraine was passed in May, 11 Republican senators and 57 Republican House members voted against it, indicating a notable level of opposition within the party.

According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German think tank tracking international support for Ukraine, the U.S. has pledged a total of $52 billion in military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February. This amount is nearly double the $29 billion pledged by the European Union (EU) and the Group of Seven (G7) countries combined.

Yulia Osmolovska, a senior researcher at Globsec, a global think tank headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia, stated, "The U.S. midterm elections will influence the Democratic Party's decision to maintain military support for Ukraine," adding, "We are closely watching how the composition of Congress will be shaped afterward."

The midterm elections on the 8th will elect all 435 members of the House, 35 of the 100 Senate seats, governors of 36 states, and state legislators in 46 states. Since these elections occur at the end of President Biden's second year in office, they serve as a referendum on the administration.

Current polls indicate that the Republicans are likely to take control of the House. In the Senate, the Republicans hold a slight lead, with a very close race underway.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.