Ukraine seeks cross-party backing to prevent entanglement in upcoming American elections

Ukraine will continue its diplomatic efforts with both Republicans and Democrats, aiming not to be entangled in US domestic political affairs or a contentious electoral race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. This statement from officials in Kyiv came on Monday.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed gratitude towards Joe Biden for his unwa

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the President of Ukraine, paid heartfelt tribute to outgoing US president Joe Biden during a Sunday event. He commended Biden's steadfast support and applauded the bold steps taken in response to challenging times marked by Russia's invasion in 2022.

"He provided unwavering support for our country amidst its most critical moment," Zelenskiy tweeted on social media, emphasizing Biden's role in preventing Putin from occupying Ukraine and supporting the nation throughout the conflict.

Zelenskiy also expressed his hope that America's strong leadership would deter Russian aggression from succeeding or achieving its goals. He stated this desire publicly during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, where he discussed the ongoing war and sought support for Ukraine.

The President has consistently advocated for an impartial approach when engaging with Washington amidst the rapidly evolving political landscape. Ukraine's primary objective is to avoid becoming embroiled in US internal politics or a potential contested election between Trump and Harris, which could potentially weaken their resistance against Moscow.

Zelenskiy emphasized that bipartisan support remains a top priority for his administration during an interview with a source who declined to elaborate on the implications of Kamala Harris's presidency for Ukraine. However, Zelenskiy acknowledged that regardless of election outcomes in November, Ukraine's international priorities remain unchanged.

The main goal is achieving an end to the conflict through a fair and just resolution rather than maintaining static positions along existing battle lines. This objective necessitates strong US leadership and support for Ukraine's cause. Furthermore, Zelenskiy has requested that the Biden administration lift certain restrictions on long-range U.S. weaponry usage against Russian military assets within Russia itself to counter attacks aimed at Ukrainian cities, including recent strikes on a children's hospital.

Throughout their interactions, President Zelenskiy and Vice President Harris have held multiple meetings, with the most recent one taking place during a peace summit in Switzerland where they addressed global leaders about the conflict. Despite occasional differences of opinion, particularly regarding Russian strikes on Ukrainian oil refineries, their conversations remained friendly and concise.

In his tenure as Vice President, Kamala Harris has consistently voiced strong support for Ukraine's cause. She condemned Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2017 during the presidential campaign and advocated for expedited approval of a $61 billion security package for Ukraine to counter Russian aggression.

The relationship between Ukraine and the Biden administration has generally been positive, even as Ukrainians have made overtures toward Republican leaders in an effort to foster bipartisan support within the United States. However, there are uncertainties surrounding Trump's potential policy stance if he were to win the upcoming election, given his past actions and statements on Ukraine-related matters.

Despite these complexities, Zelenskiy expressed gratitude for Biden's support during a recent phone call with President Trump following Trump's acceptance of the Republican nomination. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to seeking lasting peace for Ukraine.