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Democrats are already working on a new security assistance package for Kyiv, the size of which could reach $15 billion.
After winning the U.S. midterm elections, Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress and plan to strengthen support for Ukraine. Among the priorities is preparing a new security assistance package for Kyiv of up to $15 billion. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing Democratic Party representatives.
Lawmakers also intend to use budgetary powers and parliamentary oversight mechanisms to increase economic pressure on Moscow.
Democrats are already working on a new security assistance package for Ukraine. According to one staffer on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, its size could reach $15 billion.
Supporters of Ukraine in Congress intend to use the so-called "lame-duck" period — the time until the oath-taking in January 2027 — to secure additional urgent aid for Kyiv.
One important area of support will be energy. Sources named energy assistance to Ukraine as one of the party's priorities for the near term.
Lawmakers may use the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which must be passed before the current Congress adjourns, as a tool to provide aid to Kyiv.
Sanctions on Russia and revisiting Trump's decisions
Another Democratic priority will be revising sanctions legislation on Russia associated with the late senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham. The law, passed with broad bipartisan support, imposes financial restrictions on Russia's defense and energy sectors.
However, in October Trump used an exceptions mechanism to exempt Moscow from further restrictions after reaching an agreement with Putin on the supply of Russian diesel fuel.
"We will fix the Graham law. A year and a half was spent trying to impose sanctions on Russia, and they were simply undone," said another Democratic aide on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
At the same time, Democrats' options are limited by the lack of bipartisan support. If Trump vetoes the relevant legislative initiatives, overcoming it would require at least a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress.
Oversight of Starlink and investigations into Trump administration policy
In addition to sanctions and aid to Ukraine, Democrats plan to strengthen parliamentary oversight of the Starlink satellite network, owned by Elon Musk's company and used by the Ukrainian military.
Last month the network experienced a slowdown that hindered Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian attacks.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has already asked Musk to preserve all documents related to this slowdown. The committee is also preparing requests to ports, banks, and other organizations involved in Trump's agreement with Russia on diesel fuel.
Democrats also intend to use oversight and document subpoena powers to conduct a series of investigations into the Trump administration's foreign policy and the president's family's business interests.
Legislators plan to pay particular attention to the business interests of special envoys to the negotiations — Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Democrats will have to find allies among Republicans
During Trump's first term, House Democrats initiated investigations and an impeachment process. They accused the president of using U.S. military aid to Ukraine as leverage, demanding in return dirt on Joe Biden, who was then Trump's political opponent.
Ukraine long enjoyed strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress. However, some Republicans who consistently backed aid to Kyiv — including Senators Thom Tillis, Mitch McConnell, and Susan Collins — are leaving Congress or lost their seats as a result of the elections.
Under these circumstances, finding new Republican supporters of Ukraine will be important to form a bipartisan majority capable of overcoming a potential presidential veto.
Remember, Zelensky said that Ukraine did not receive $16 billion in aid from the U.S., which, he said, had been foreseen by previous agreements and decisions.
Democrats' victory: what will change for Ukraine
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