ISTANBUL, November 5. /TASS/. The US midterm elections held on November 3 will not lead to significant changes in the Trump administration’s policy toward Russia, Turkish expert on international security Canan Tercan told TASS.
"I don’t think we should expect radical changes in Trump’s relations with Russia and [President Vladimir] Putin. Trump’s foreign policy approaches are based more on economic benefit, strategic partnership, and personal diplomacy than on ideological polarization. Trump wants to keep channels of dialogue with Russia open, restore areas of economic cooperation with it, and put an end to the war in Ukraine," the expert noted.
According to her, Trump’s macro-level worldview is rooted in a drive for profit. "Russian energy resources, Asia’s underground riches, and trade routes such as the Middle Corridor (also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route - TASS) and the Northern Corridor (the Northern Sea Route - TASS) offer the US significant economic and geopolitical opportunities. Trump prefers to develop cooperation with major powers, moving away from a micro-level focus on Europe and a hardline approach toward Russia. A potential trilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping would allow them to discuss new economic and strategic balances," Tercan noted.
At the same time, she acknowledged that the results of the US midterm elections will affect Trump’s room to maneuver. "A strengthened Democratic presence in Congress could complicate matters for Trump, particularly regarding the budget, sanctions against Russia, support for Ukraine, the judicial system, and ambassadorial appointments. Although Trump retains the right to veto, intense negotiations between him and Congress are likely. For instance, the Democrats may demand the lifting of sanctions against Russia in exchange for including closed-door negotiations on reducing US tariffs on EU countries or showing flexibility on immigration policy. In this regard, Trump may opt for compromise and negotiations with Congress on certain issues as an alternative to a veto," the Turkish expert stressed.
The US held its midterm elections on November 3. Americans elected 35 of the 100 senators, as well as all 435 members of the House of Representatives. Governor elections were also held in 36 states. According to the latest estimates by US media outlets, the Democrats are poised to win a majority of seats in both chambers of the new Congress. Currently, Republicans hold the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.