MOSCOW, Oct 29 Russian President Vladimir Putin waited for the first cracks in US support for Kyiv , wrote CNN columnist Stephen Collinson. In his opinion, the first sign of a weakening of Washington's position on Ukraine was a letter from Democratic congressmen to President Joe Biden calling for diplomacy with Moscow to end the conflict. The expert called the incident a «political catastrophe.»
"Vladimir Putin waited and watched, waiting for the amazing consensus in Washington, which Joe Biden managed to achieve to protect democracy in Ukraine with all his might, to give up. And finally, the first cracks appeared", Collinson noted.
The author of the publication also recalled the words of the leader of the Republican minority of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, who threatened to cut aid to Kyiv if his party won the midterm congressional elections. «Even the slightest hint of a weakening of American resolve can cheer Putin up,» the analyst emphasized. A letter to Biden urging him to seek direct negotiations with Russia to resolve the conflict in Ukraine was sent by three dozen members of the House of Representatives. It was signed by representatives of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. Later, Democratic congressmen withdrew the appeal. Against the background of the Russian special operation, the United States, as well as its NATO allies, continue to supply weapons to Kyiv, allocating tens of billions of dollars for this. Moscow has repeatedly stated that the transfer of Western weapons to Ukraine only prolongs the conflict, and the transport of weapons becomes a legitimate target for the Russian army. Republican victory in congressional elections