Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that European elites are counting on the upcoming US midterm elections, hoping for a political shift that could restore Washington's traditional allies and increase pressure on President Donald Trump, according to Russia Today. He made the comments during his annual "Direct Line" press conference in Moscow, a four-and-a-half-hour session where he answered questions from citizens and journalists.

The next US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026, during Trump's second term. Voters will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats, determining the makeup of the 120th Congress. Historically, midterms tend to disadvantage the sitting president, as voters often use them to express dissatisfaction with the administration.

Putin also addressed international issues, including the EU’s attempt to use Russia’s frozen central bank assets, NATO’s eastward expansion, and security arrangements linked to potential elections in Ukraine. He emphasized that Russia seeks peace and stability, but said lasting solutions must address what Moscow considers the root causes of the conflict. “We want to live in peace next year, free of military conflicts,” he said.

Regarding NATO, Putin accused the alliance of breaking previous assurances, saying, “There won’t be any military operations if you respect us and our interests.” He stressed that while Russia does not oppose other countries defending themselves, such actions should not threaten others. He also warned that blocking Kaliningrad would be a serious escalation risk, stating that Russia would respond to eliminate such threats.

Despite tensions, Putin said Russia remains open to cooperation with the West, including Europe, the UK, and the US, if relations are based on equality and mutual respect. On US-led peace efforts in Ukraine, he placed responsibility on Western countries and Kyiv’s leadership, saying the ball is “entirely in the court” of Ukraine’s European sponsors, while affirming Russia’s openness to negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized resilience as a key strategy to weaken Russia’s ability to prolong the war. On X, he stated that demonstrating endurance reduces Moscow’s incentive to continue the conflict and described this resilience as a form of pressure that can help bring peace.