US MIDTERM 2026: Ukraine Aid, Russian Diesel, Iran War Put Trump's Foreign Policy at Risk?

Donald Trump's Russia policy could face a major congressional challenge after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections. Democrats are eyeing a comeback, and a victory in the House or Senate could reopen military aid to Ukraine and revive efforts to block Russian energy sales. That puts Trump's push to ease pressure on Moscow on a collision course with lawmakers who want tougher sanctions and more support for Kyiv. The stakes go well beyond Washington. They could shape the future of the Ukraine conflict and Trump's room to negotiate with Russia. Trump has largely halted direct US financial and military aid to Ukraine, but that could change if Democrats gain control of Congress. They would decide which bills reach the floor and when, giving them a route to push new assistance for Kyiv. Reuters reports that such a bill could potentially attract the two-thirds majority needed to override a Trump veto. That is not guaranteed, but it raises the prospect of Congress challenging the president's attempt to change course on Ukraine. Russian energy is already at the center of the fight. Trump has lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports and waived newly enacted sanctions on Russian energy his administration says the move can help supply markets and ease fuel price pressure but critics in both parties are pushing back democratic representative Gregory Meeks has introduced bipartisan legislation to block the plan to bring Russian diesel back into the global market a Democratic controlled Congress could give that effort fresh momentum putting Moscow's energy trade under renewed political pressure the resistance is not limited to Democrats Reuters reports that five senior Republican senators joined six Democrats in criticizing Trump's diesel deal in the House 17 Democrats and five Republicans urged Trump to apply Russia sanctions already authorized by law the split matters opposition to easing pressure on Moscow crosses party lines if Democrats win control they could use defense and spending bills to challenge the White House's Russia policy but even a congressional majority would not guarantee that lawmakers could force every change they want Russia is not the only foreign policy flashpoint Trump launched the war against Iran on February 28th, without first securing congressional approval. Democrats have repeatedly backed resolutions demanding an end to the fighting unless Congress authorizes its continuation. One such resolution passed with support from a handful of Republicans, but the administration ignored it. Democrats could use spending restrictions and public hearings to increase pressure on Trump. The same election could therefore open multiple battles over war powers, military funding, and the president's authority abroad. The election could also decide the future of US military aid to Israel, and Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget, a 67% increase. Democrats have opposed the spending rise and want to restore billions of dollars in foreign aid withheld or canceled by the administration. democratic victory would not automatically reverse Trump's policies. Presidential vetoes and congressional divisions remain major obstacles. For Moscow, the key question is whether Trump can preserve his approach to Russia, or whether a new congressional majority will push Washington back towards sanctions and expanded support for Kyiv.