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The United States will hold congressional elections on November 3, which could significantly shift the balance of power in Washington and, in turn, affect US policy toward Ukraine and Russia.
In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Laura Loomer, one of the best-known conservative influencers in the United States, discussed what to expect after the elections, the Trump administration’s proposed “diesel deal” with Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s criticism of Donald Trump, the MAGA movement’s attitude toward Ukraine, and Russian propaganda in the US.
Key points:
Trump’s frustration: The US president is frustrated by the lack of progress toward ending the war. He wants to fulfill his campaign promises and bring Kyiv and Moscow to the negotiating table.
Russia’s position: Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are not interested in a peace deal. Russia continues to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, stage provocations and openly mock Zelenskyy by inviting him to Moscow.
MAGA’s attitude: Trump supporters are generally not hostile toward Ukrainians themselves, but oppose sending additional US taxpayer money abroad.
Russian propaganda: Some American bloggers and opinion leaders promote anti-Ukrainian narratives under the influence of Russian propaganda. Some appear to receive funding from Moscow, although such allegations would need to be proven.
Loomer is an ultra-conservative blogger and activist, a staunch Trump supporter who has frequent personal contact with the US president and is one of the most prominent figures in the MAGA movement.
Like many MAGA supporters, she long held a hostile position toward Ukraine and actively spread various Russian narratives targeting the country. However, her views changed dramatically this summer. Loomer openly acknowledged that she had fallen victim to Russian propaganda.
She subsequently visited Ukraine, witnessed the consequences of Russian attacks firsthand, met senior Ukrainian officials and military personnel, and recorded an interview with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Her support for Ukraine has strengthened since then.
During the October crisis in US-Ukraine relations, triggered by the proposed “diesel deal” with Russia and an exchange of sharp remarks between Trump and Zelenskyy, Loomer criticized what she saw as an effective weakening of anti-Russian sanctions.
However, she refrained from criticizing Trump's own actions.
“Zelenskyy could have been more restrained in his responses,” Loomer told RBC-Ukraine. At the same time, she stressed that responsibility for the continuation of the war rests with Putin, who does not want peace and is effectively showing contempt for the White House’s efforts.
Loomer’s comments have repeatedly sparked heated disputes with other members of the MAGA movement.
“I don't think this is exclusively about Ukraine. The MAGA movement as a whole is categorically opposed to providing any additional funding to any country,” she told RBC-Ukraine.
She added that many American podcasters, from both the right and the left, appear to receive support from Russia.
