Zelensky vs Trump: Ukraine bets on US voters and new Congress

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump have escalated their public confrontation, with Zelensky warning that Washington could effectively side with Russia while Trump accuses Zelensky of prolonging the war and delays new sanctions against Moscow by 60 days. Zelensky has given a series of interviews to major US media, seeking to influence American public opinion and Congress ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, where Republicans risk losing their majority amid Trump's falling approval ratings. Kyiv is also maintaining direct contacts with Trump's team, including recent talks with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Marco Rubio. According to diplomat Andriy Veselovsky, Ukraine has no legal leverage over the US and cannot force Washington to act, so Zelensky is using media tactics to avoid capitulation and wait for a post-election political shift. Veselovsky notes that 71% of Ukrainians oppose territorial concessions, and stabilizing the front line alongside international pressure could help constrain Trump's pro-Russian course.