1. Trump’s sanctions have become a kind of trigger that will set the trend on the Ukraine issue for the coming year. Trump will no longer be able to backtrack: the elections will take place in early November 2026, and by that date, he will do everything in his power to see the war ended.2. It’s worth noting that immediately after the sanctions were imposed, one of the main figures of the Republican Party and a key author of the “anti-Russian legislative framework,” Lindsey Graham, met with Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., Olha Stefanishyna. This is part of the Republican election campaign, as they cannot ignore that if 73% of Republican voters support full backing for Ukraine, then they must support Ukraine. It is also important to note that Ukraine’s embassy is becoming an important player in this pre-election story.3. At the same time, the situation is such that Democrats are also forced (by voter opinion) to support Ukraine.This is the first time in three election cycles that Ukraine is consolidating both U.S. parties, rather than being dragged into Trump’s impeachment or scandals around Biden’s son.The elections have only just begun. It is vital for Ukraine not to become part of interparty scandals. I want to stress that a scenario aimed at splitting the parties via Ukraine will be a guaranteed task for Russian intelligence. We must remember an old truth: many of Ukraine’s external problems are actually part of internal scandals and the work of useful idiots in Kyiv. To be clear: the toughest IMF-prescribed measures for Ukraine (like doubling gas prices) were invented in Kyiv.The Russians cannot create a problem that we don’t first create — and, crucially, escalate ourselves.SourceAbout the author. Vadym Denysenko, political scientist.The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by blog or column authors.