Oleksandr Kraiev, an international relations expert at the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism”, spoke with The Ukrainian Week about what Donald Trump’s victory could mean for Ukraine, along with the Democrats’ stance and Ukraine’s efforts to work with both major U.S. parties.
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— Trump has won the presidential election, and the Republicans have effectively gained control of the U.S. Senate. Could anything still alter this situation?
— It’s worth pointing out that while the Democrats lost, they still hold a significant presence in the House of Representatives and may retain notable representation in the Senate. There’s also talk that they’ll secure a substantial share in local elections.
Alongside the federal elections, votes were held for 44 state congresses, essentially state parliaments, as well as 13 governors. This is where the Democrats could make some gains. It’s very likely that they’ll continue to have a strong impact on policy or, at the very least, present a robust opposition to the Republicans. So, it’s essential that we maintain close ties with both the Republican and Democratic establishments.
— In light of these results, is it still relevant for Ukraine to engage directly with voters who might shape Trump’s future decisions?
— Typically, as time passes after elections, the impact of voter opinion starts to fade, and politicians tend to pursue their pre-established strategies. As Americans often say, the politician after election day isn’t the same person they voted for or listened to beforehand. Right now, our focus should be on engaging with the broader American establishment and building relationships with both parties. But it’s especially important to refine and strengthen our approach to the Trump-aligned faction of the Republicans.
— What does Trump’s victory mean for Ukraine?
— Trump’s victory doesn’t bring anything explicitly positive or negative for us; rather, it introduces new risks, meaning we’ll now be working in a less predictable environment—yet one where progress is still possible. Trump has expressed a number of pro-Ukrainian views, and we need to capitalise on these, broaden our connections with the incoming administration, and reach out to party members who might influence key decisions. This means consistent, focused work: establishing contacts, holding meetings, and doing everything we can to strengthen our position in both Congress and the administration. The approach remains fundamentally the same.
