Russian Oil Refineries Hit Again; Is Zelenskyy Betting on Democratic Victory?
Volodymyr Zelenskyy appears to be placing a bet on the Democrats winning this year’s midterm elections.
On October 29, The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine had temporarily ceased attacks on Russian oil refineries under pressure from the United States.
Yet the U.S. pressure proved ineffective—just one day after the report was published, on October 30, Ukraine resumed strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.
On November 1, Ukrainian forces targeted the Kstovo refinery in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast—Ukrainian officials described it as one of Russia’s largest refineries, primarily producing fuel and lubricants. Additionally, Ukrainska Pravda cited Ukrainian sources stating that Kyiv had never agreed to a pause in such operations.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has so far offered no public response to Ukraine’s renewed attacks on Russian refining facilities.
It is clear that Zelenskyy’s willingness to defy Trump’s opposition suggests he is counting on Democratic gains in Congress. A Democratic comeback could serve as a check on Trump’s policies toward Ukraine, reducing the pressure on Kyiv to make concessions.
Current assessments from media outlets and polling institutions indicate a strong likelihood of a Democratic resurgence. For instance, Decision Desk HQ estimates a 83% probability that Democrats will regain control of the House of Representatives, and a 63% chance of reclaiming the Senate.
The Guardian notes that Trump’s frequent appearances at campaign events during the midterms effectively turn the election into a de facto referendum on his second term. This means Republican candidates are increasingly vulnerable to criticism over the administration’s record on living costs, tariffs, and energy prices driven by the Iran-U.S. conflict. Under these conditions, the prospects for Republicans maintaining control of Congress have significantly diminished.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1880651252787203/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.