Democrats seize Congress, push $15b Ukraine aid package and tighter Russia sanctions

Democrats, who swept both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections, are moving to provide Ukraine with roughly $15 billion in additional military aid while pushing to tighten sanctions on Russia. They also aim to reverse the Russia sanctions rollbacks enacted under President Donald Trump and to investigate Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service and the business interests of allies close to the president.

The Financial Times reported Saturday (local time) that Democrats are reviewing expanded Ukraine support and stronger Russia sanctions as top foreign policy and security priorities ahead of the new Congress taking office in January.

A Democratic aide on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said the new Ukraine security assistance package is expected to total around $15 billion.

Democrats intend to lock in as much Ukraine support as possible even before the new Congress convenes, and are working to include Ukraine-related provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act, which must be passed during the current congressional term.

The package is expected to cover energy infrastructure repairs, interceptor missile supplies and intelligence support. Ukraine has been struggling with power shortages following sustained Russian strikes on its energy grid, making energy assistance particularly urgent.

Ukraine is also critically short of Patriot interceptor missiles needed to defend against Russian missile strikes.

Once the Democrat-led Congress takes office in January, efforts to tighten sanctions on Russia are expected to accelerate.

Democrats are considering as a priority the revision of a Russia sanctions law named after the late former Sen. Lindsey Graham, which mandates financial sanctions on Russia's defense industry and energy sector.

Trump removed Russia from the list of additional sanctions targets last month, and Democrats are expected to push legislation that would limit the president's broad authority to grant sanctions waivers.

However, since Democrats have not secured the two-thirds majority in both chambers needed to override a presidential veto, passing any such legislation will require Republican cooperation.

Democrats also plan to scrutinize the role of American companies in the Ukraine war, with Musk's Starlink satellite internet service among the primary targets.

Starlink serves as a critical communications network for Ukrainian forces but experienced unexplained slowdowns last month that disrupted Ukraine's ability to defend against Russian attacks.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee had previously notified Musk to preserve all documents related to the Starlink slowdowns.

Democrats are also pursuing investigations into the Trump administration's foreign policy and the business interests of those close to the president — particularly Steve Witkoff, who served as Trump's special envoy in negotiations with Ukraine and Iran, and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Ukraine is hoping the shift in congressional power will translate into greater US support. President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hopes the incoming Congress will "resume discussions on strong financial support or weapons supplies for Ukraine."

Within Ukraine, however, a note of caution has emerged: even with Democrats controlling Congress, foreign policy authority ultimately rests with Trump, and some observers warn that the scope for fundamental policy change may be limited.