2026 midterms: Russia hopes Trump continues 'peace efforts' despite Democrats' victory

Following the US midterm elections, neither Vladimir Putin nor Sergey Lavrov commented publicly on Donald Trump's defeat. Their spokespersons later stated that Moscow would continue to engage with the US president, emphasizing ongoing foreign policy efforts. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed hope for Trump's continued peace initiatives, particularly regarding upcoming talks between Russia and Ukraine. Meanwhile, Maria Zakharova from the Russian foreign ministry criticized the US Congress for its anti-Russian stance, suggesting it undermines efforts to improve bilateral relations.