WASHINGTON, November 4. /TASS/. The European leaders who seek to prolong the Ukrainian crisis are highly unpopular in their own countries, Professor Peter Kuznick, Director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University in Washington, told TASS.

According to the expert, he is "encouraged by the recent phone call" between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. "Although there was no agreement, at least they're talking after a long hiatus. The European leaders who are pushing for prolonging the war are extremely unpopular at home. Pressure is building on all sides for a diplomatic settlement," he stressed.

If a settlement is reached, US President Donald Trump will "take credit for it," Kuznick said, adding that in the event of the election win, "the Democrats may join with disapproving members of his (Trump’s - TASS) own part to impede his controversial efforts to cozy up to Russia."

"The Democrats are less hawkish than Trump and his advisors on Iran but more hawkish on Ukraine. The world, however, demands an end to both wars and fears what escalation or even maintaining the status quo might bring," he noted.

The United States is holding its midterm congressional elections, with one-third of the Senate and all seats in the House of Representatives contested. Voters are also electing governors in 36 states and territories. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress.