Ukraine believes its physical existence depends on the outcome of November’s US election after Donald Trump’s selection of JD Vance as his potential vice president, an MP has warned.
Trump’s choice of the Ohio senator as his running mate has fanned fears that a new Republican government would push Ukraine to acquiesce to Vladimir Putin if elected, withdrawing aid if no peace deal is reached with Russia.
Mr Vance, an opponent of the US’s assistance package to Ukraine in the spring, wants to cut military support and has said Kyiv has no chance of regaining the territory lost since Russia invaded in 2022.
Kira Rudik, a member of the Ukrainian parliament and leader of the Golos party, said Kyiv must intensify efforts to speak with Mr Vance and highlight why support for Ukraine is vital for the US and globally.
“Of course we’re nervous, we know it’s the free will of the American people to choose their leaders,” Ms Rudik said.
“Yet we also know that our lives and physical existence depend on whoever they choose and the support we get from our biggest and strongest ally.
“The main outcome [from Vance’s appointment] is realising that we could have been doing a better job of approaching people from all sides in the US Congress and delivering the message of Ukraine, and right now we need to make sure we’re doing that and make sure we’re working with both parties with the same intensity.”