There is very little time left until the elections in the USA, yet the presidential race remains intense. Polls show that both candidates—former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris—have equal chances of winning. At the same time, the world is at one of the most critical stages of the post-Cold War era, as noted by Foreign Policy.
Reports indicate that the victory of either candidate could have "deep consequences" for both the war in Ukraine and the Middle East, due to the differences in how Kamala Harris and Donald Trump would conduct their foreign policies. The media reports that many expect Harris to continue supporting Ukraine "for as long as it takes." However, she is simultaneously evasive about Ukraine's potential NATO membership.
Trump, on the other hand, alarms everyone by promising to end the full-scale war in Ukraine in just one day. The publication states that Jim Townsend, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO under former President Barack Obama, believes that U.S. aid would likely be "terminated" in such a case.
"Unless he plans to use it as leverage against [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky," he added. According to media reports, Trump aims to push both sides to the negotiating table by informing Zelensky about the cessation of American aid, while telling Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin the opposite—that Ukraine will receive even greater support.
Meanwhile, other NATO allies are preparing for the anticipated reduction in American aid, so by early 2024, the Alliance has taken control of the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group to "guard against sudden changes in Washington's policy."
Nevertheless, a source close to the Ukrainian government states that those making important decisions in Ukraine are "fairly calm" about the U.S. elections, as they believe it was Trump who first supplied lethal weapons to Ukraine, while Obama considered it a "red line" and imposed sanctions against "Nord Stream 2."
"They believe that Putin will disappoint Trump, which may prompt him to provide more active military assistance to Ukraine," the source stated.
Other news regarding the elections in the USA and aid to Ukraine
Previously, UNIAN reported on whether the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine after the elections. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha states that aid to our country is not charity but rather an investment in "transatlantic security."
Furthermore, the new U.S. president will face a tough choice regarding Ukraine.
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that the Kyiv government wants NATO and EU membership as part of any deal concerning territorial concessions," the article states.