Kallas expects next Congress to “increase pressure on Russia”

A head of diplomacy of the European Union (EU), Kaja Kallas, said today that he hopes that the next US Congress, which will be dominated by democrats, will maintain support for Ukraine and “increase pressure on Russia”.

“ American voters have made their choice clear. I hope that the new House of Representatives and the new Senate will continue to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia,” Kaja Kallas said at a press conference in Brussels.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy argued that it is important for this to happen because “Europe and the United States (US) are much stronger when they are united.”.

“ And it is important to send these messages clearly to Russia through greater pressure to put an end to this war. Let’s see what happens now,” he said.

Kallas' statements, which will be in Lisbon this week, arise after the Democrats have gained control of the two chambers of the US Congress in the mid-term elections on Tuesday, removing from Republicans the parliamentary majorities that supported Donald Trump's legislative agenda during the first two years of the second presidential term.

The new composition of Congress, which will take office in January, will allow Democrats to influence budgetary policy and the adoption of legislation, as well as strengthen the supervision of the Republican administration.

Trump will, however, retain important foreign policy competences, including the conduct of the war-related diplomatic efforts in Ukraine.

Ukraine has been counting on financial and armament aid from Western allies since Russia invaded the country on 24 February 2022.

The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory plunged Europe into what is considered the most serious security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).