Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The paper warns that Russia’s future may be uncertain if Trump fails in next year’s midterms.
Moscow’s media is sounding the alarm over Donald Trump’s political future, warning that next year’s US midterm elections could deliver a major setback to the U.S. president — and by extension, to Russia’s interests.
While the American and British press remain largely focused elsewhere, Russian commentators are already speculating about how a shift in Washington’s balance of power could affect global politics and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Kremlin’s growing concern
According to Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections could “undermine Donald Trump’s power and hurt Russia.”
According to Express, the paper warned that if Democrats regain control of Congress, Trump’s room to maneuver would shrink dramatically.
“If the Democratic Party regains control over one of the chambers of Congress, that is a problem for Trump,” the newspaper wrote. “His opponents will get the chance to block his bills. For example, to prevent sanctions from being taken off our country and to create problems for his budget plans by including support for Ukraine. And if the whole congress turns Democrat, the game’s over.”
The commentary reflects a rare moment of unease in Russian state-aligned media, where Trump is often portrayed as a pragmatic counterpart to Vladimir Putin.
Advice from Moscow
In an unusual twist, Komsomolskaya Pravda even offered advice to Trump on how to improve his chances at the polls — suggesting that his best move would be to “sort out Ukraine.”
“He needs a major success that would convince the doubters. For example, sorting out Ukraine, taking Russia’s interests into account, otherwise the conflict won’t end,” the paper said.
The publication also urged Trump to roll back the recently resumed US nuclear testing program, describing such a move as a “sign of goodwill that everyone will respond to.”
Pressure and posturing
The tone of these editorials suggests Moscow feels time may be running out to secure concessions from Washington.
The Kremlin appears to believe that Trump could still be persuaded to accept some form of settlement favorable to Russia — but only before domestic US politics constrain him further.
Meanwhile, the BBC’s Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg reported that another Russian newspaper, Izvestia, has claimed that diplomatic discussions between Washington and Moscow are “on hold.”
However, it added: “Most likely Donald Trump and his entourage have not yet fully understood the depth of the conflict and its root causes.”
Economic clouds at home
The media warnings come amid worsening economic conditions inside Russia. Local outlets have reported that the country’s economy recorded zero growth last quarter.
Fuel prices continue to rise, and consumer inflation has reached new highs — with the price of a cup of coffee jumping 15 percent in just one month.
As Russia’s financial strain deepens, analysts note that the Kremlin’s messaging increasingly ties its hopes for economic relief to Trump’s political fortunes abroad.
Slipping support
Adding to Moscow’s anxiety, Forbes reported this week that Trump’s approval rating has dropped sharply.
According to a new Morning Consult poll, his net rating has fallen to minus 10 — his lowest of the current term.
If those numbers hold, the midterms could reshape not only Washington’s political map but also Moscow’s expectations for any potential thaw in relations.
Sources: BBC, Forbes, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Izvestia
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, who may have used AI in the preparation
