Ukraine Anxious Over Biden’s Exit from Presidential Race Amid Ongoing Russian Invasion

From the capital city of Kyiv, Ukrainians watch anxiously as political shifts in the international landscape unfold. American President Joe Biden’s recent decision to drop out of the looming presidential race has ignited uncertainty across Ukraine due to his ceaseless support to the nation, which has been critical in their ongoing standoff with Russia.

Biden’s Legacy in Ukraine

Joe Biden’s affiliation with Ukraine spans years. While serving as Vice President under Barack Obama, Biden visited Ukraine six times, establishing a strong rapport with Ukrainian leaders, specifically with then-President Petro Poroshenko. Even during his presidential term, Biden upheld his support to Ukraine, especially following Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022. He visited Kyiv in February 2023 to assure Poroshenko’s successor, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of continued military and financial aid.

Zelenskyy hailed Biden’s withdrawal from the upcoming elections as a “difficult, but strong decision.” The Ukrainian leader took to social media to express gratitude for Biden’s relentless support for Ukraine, noting that their resilience has largely been fuelled by the bipartisan support they receive in the U.S.

Trump Reemerges as a Frontrunner: Uncertainties Abound

With Biden’s departure, former President Donald Trump appears to be a frontrunner, leaving Ukrainians concerned over the future of American military aid and overall political backing, particularly as Russia continues to make steady gains on the battlefield.

Analysts point out that Trump may usher in talks about the war’s end, though the conditions of these discussions remain unclear. Notably, during a televised debate in June, Trump claimed he’d use his negotiation skills to resolve the conflict before taking office as the president should he be elected.

The uncertainty is also fuelled by the disparity in Ukraine policies among Republicans and Trump’s unpredictable approach to decision-making. Though Trump’s running mate JD Vance has indicated indifference towards Ukraine, an opposing wing within the Republican Party, termed the “Reaganites”, advocates for enhanced aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Role in the U.S. Election

Over half of Americans remain in firm approval of aiding Ukraine, making the issue of the Russia-Ukraine war a critical component of the U.S. presidential race. Biden’s Vice President Kamala Harris, who is in the running for the presidency, could possibly increase aid to Ukraine as a means of boosting her approval ratings. However, according to Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, Ukraine’s former deputy chief of General Staff of Armed Forces, any action to increase aid must be swift and involve a significant portion of modern weaponry.

A Troubled History: Ukraine’s Role in American Politics

Ukraine has been a point of contention in American politics predating Russia’s invasion. During the 2016 pro-Russian separatist unrest in Eastern Ukraine, Biden exerted pressure on Ukraine to dismiss their alleged corrupt Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, even threatening to freeze $1bn in U.S. aid to Kyiv. The incident spiraled into unproven allegations over Biden’s son, Hunter, who held a position on the board of a Ukrainian natural gas producer, Burisma.

As the American presidential race intensifies, uncertainty shrouds Ukraine. With Ukrainians terrified of losing American support under a Trump presidency, any outcome remains unpredictable. Amidst the uncertainty, however, there is hope that the international community will maintain its solidarity in standing with Ukraine.