US Election

Kamala Harris secures Democratic presidential nomination

Harris became the presumptive nominee after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race last month and now has a chance of becoming the first female U.S. president in history.

US official tasked with imposing Russian sanctions to join Harris campaign as first major hire, Axios reports

Brian Nelson, the U.S. Treasury Department's lead official tasked with imposing and enforcing sanctions against Russia, is preparing to leave the Biden administration to join Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, Axios reported on July 30.

Here's where Kamala Harris's potential VP picks stand on Ukraine

With the Democratic party planning to nominate U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s 2024 presidential nominee by Aug. 7, a running mate selection is near. Amid a surge in donations to her campaign and new polling numbers revealing a diminished gap against former president Donald Trump

Russia will likely try to influence US election in Trump's favor, intelligence official tells media

The official, who is associated with the U.S. Foreign Malign Influence Center, said that Iran will likely continue to oppose Trump and that China does not have a preference.

US officials say Russia is using unsuspecting Americans to spread election disinformation

Authorities say that Russia remains the most significant threat in terms of election disinformation, while there are signs that Iran is increasing its activities and China is taking a cautious approach regarding the 2024 U.S. presidential race.

Biden could cement his legacy by boosting Ukraine support, experts say

With U.S. President Joe Biden officially out of the running for re-election, Ukrainian soldiers, experts, and advocates have fresh hope that the 81-year-old with decades of transatlantic diplomacy experience will increase support for the country during his final months in office. “ We will keep rallying a coalition of proud

Biden addresses nation, promises to work to 'stop Putin' in last 6 months of term

The administration will work toward "rallying a coalition of proud nations to stop (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from taking over Ukraine and doing more damage," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a national address on July 24.

Opinion: A Hillbilly Elegy for Ukraine and the West

In a commentary published by the New York Times this past April, J.D. Vance, now the U.S. Republican vice-presidential nominee, proposed a strategy of “defense” for Ukraine that was nothing but a recipe for defeat. There can be no doubt that his words were closely read, and well

Kamala Harris secures enough delegate endorsements to win Democratic presidential nomination

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris secured enough endorsements from Democratic delegates on July 22 to win the party's nomination for president, CNN reported.

Russia accuses Kamala Harris of 'unfriendly rhetoric' – here's what she actually said

As U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris moved closer to securing the Democratic Party nomination, the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made clear that Russia was paying attention. "So far, her contribution to our bilateral relations has not been noticed," said Peskov, only to later notice the vice president's "unfriendly" remarks.

With Biden out, what could a Kamala Harris presidency mean for Ukraine?

All eyes turned toward Vice President Kamala Harris as the likely person to lead the Democratic ticket this fall following U.S. President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would be leaving the 2024 presidential race. If Harris is officially confirmed as the candidate to take on Republican Donald Trump

Zelensky thanks Biden for consistent support of Ukraine throughout presidency

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed respect for U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race, thanking him for his unwavering support of Ukraine's fight for freedom.

VP Kamala Harris declares candidacy for Democratic Party nomination

Vice President Kamala Harris stated her intention to run for the Democratic Party presidential nominee after U.S. President Joe Biden unexpectedly withdrew from the race and endorsed her as his successor.

Biden drops out of presidential race, endorses VP Kamala Harris

"I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country to stand down," U.S. President Joe Biden announced on July 21.

Johnson says Trump has 'the strength and bravery' to bring peace to Ukraine

Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Republican nominee Donald Trump's chances to end the Russian war in Ukraine in a July 19 opinion for Daily Mail.

Trump calls Putin, Xi 'smart, tough' leaders at campaign rally

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are "smart, tough," leaders who "love their country," Trump said at a campaign rally in Michigan on July 20.

Poland urges EU to combat Russian disinformation in US, Reuters reports

"At this critical moment in history, it is imperative that we collectively take swift and robust action to strengthen the transatlantic relations through strategic communication about the E.U. in the U.S."

Blinken reaffirms US support for Ukraine amidst election fears

Ukraine is on its way to being able to "stand on its own feet militarily" as Western countries continue expand support for Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 19.

Zelensky, Trump hold call, discuss future of US support

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump, former U.S. president and Republican presidential nominee, held a phone call on July 19, five years after a fateful 2019 phone call between the two led to Trump’s first impeachment.

Biden departure from 2024 race increasingly likely, top Democrats say

Biden has become more "receptive" to arguments that he should step aside, sources close to the U.S. president said on July 18.

Zelensky, Trump to hold phone discussion, CNN reports

The leaders are expected to speak over the phone on July 19 in their first conversation since Trump left office in 2021.

Trump formally accepts nomination as Republican presidential candidate

Former U.S. President Donald Trump accepted his third nomination on July 18 in his first speech since surviving an attempted assassination.

With a Trump victory more likely, Ukraine launches charm offensive

Starmer addresses concerns over Europe's ability to support Ukraine ahead of US election

"I'm not going to preempt what may happen in the elections later this year, other than to say that industrial strategy is a very important component of the package that we need to put together," Keir Starmer said.

Opinion: Could Ukraine survive a JD Vance vice presidency?

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s nomination of J.D. Vance as his vice-presidential running mate has sent shockwaves across the Western alliance, particularly Ukraine, which is on the front lines of Western liberal democracy’s battle against authoritarianism. Vance has been strident in his

'I don't care' – JD Vance on Ukraine, in his own words

The selection of Ohio Senator J. D. Vance as Donald Trump's running mate this week has sent ripples of concern around the globe, felt not least in Ukraine. One of the most vocal opponents of U.S. aid to Ukraine, Vance has an extensive back catalog of statements that might

The Counteroffensive: A JD Vance vice presidency would be a disaster for Ukraine

Editor’s Note: This article was published by the twice-weekly newsletter “The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak” on July 16, 2024, and has been re-published by the Kyiv Independent with permission. To subscribe to "The Counteroffensive," click here. J.D. Vance’s selection as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s running

JD Vance opposes military aid, NATO membership for Ukraine. He's now Trump's VP pick

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump selected Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate on July 15. The 39-year-old conservative, whose fame ballooned after the publication of his 2016 memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," was announced as Trump's pick for vice president on the first day

Kremlin blames Democrats, Ukraine for Trump assassination attempt

The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party nominee for the upcoming presidential election, prompted shock, sympathy, and concern from capitals across the world. President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wished former U.S. President Donald Trump "a speedy recovery." The response from the Kremlin stood out. Spokesperson

Trump names senator in favor of Ukrainian territorial concessions as his running mate

"Any peace settlement is going to require some significant territorial concessions from Ukraine, and you're gonna have a peace deal because that's the only way out of the conflict," Senator J. D. Vance said in February.

Zelensky says he 'is not afraid' of Trump's potential presidency

Ukraine has bipartisan support and will develop relations with Washington regardless of the outcome of the presidential elections, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists. "If Donald Trump becomes president, we will work. I am not afraid of this," Zelensky said.

The Counteroffensive: What the Trump shooting could mean for Ukraine

Editor’s Note: This article was published by the twice-weekly newsletter “The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak” on July 14, 2024, and has been re-published by the Kyiv Independent with permission. To subscribe to "The Counteroffensive," click here. The assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump on July 14