The Western world has largely united against Russia's unlawful invasion of Ukraine, providing both economic and military aid.
However, countries like Poland, Slovakia, and the United States are reconsidering their support, especially after recent budget turmoil in the U.S. Congress.
According to sources from the New York Times, this is precisely what Russian President Vladimir Putin aims to exploit.
U.S. officials believe Putin intends to halt Western support for Ukraine by using his intelligence agencies to spread propaganda in favor of pro-Russian political parties.
The Kremlin has been frustrated by the unified stance of the U.S. and Europe but believes it can influence American politics to weaken support for Ukraine and potentially regain an advantage on the battlefield.
The same sources indicate that Putin is closely following political debates about Ukraine in the U.S. and aims to strengthen pro-Russian candidates in Europe.
For instance, the victory of Putin ally Robert Fico in Slovakia is seen as a positive development for Russia. Besides national elections, Russia may also try to influence voting in the European Parliament next year.
According to Jan Hallenberg, an emeritus professor of political science, a halt in support for Ukraine would be a "nightmare scenario" for the war-torn country.
The developments in Slovakia, among other nations, play into the dictator's hands, making it more challenging to pass EU decisions to aid Ukraine.
