DOI 10.17721/2521-1706.2025.19.3

Ivan Dobry-Vechir,

Ph.D. Student (History),

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv,

Kyiv, Ukraine

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5489-972X

Abstract. The aim of this article is to analyze the views of U.S. congressmen on the foreign policy role of the United States through the lens of the debates on the Ukraine aid package in late 2023 – early 2024. It explores how ideological polarization, internal party dynamics, and the influence of former President Donald Trump shaped the legislative process.

The scientific novelty of this study lies in identifying the growing impact of pro-Trump isolationist circles within the Republican Party on U.S. foreign policy priorities, and the role of political calculations in delaying crucial aid to Ukraine.

The methodological framework includes general scientific analysis and historical-comparative methods to assess the positions of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. A systemic approach is employed to ensure objectivity and analytical coherence. The article is based on a wide range of primary sources, including official congressional debates, public statements by key politicians, and publications in major U.S. media. Analytical contributions by political experts and think tanks were also used to trace ideological shifts in the Republican and Democratic parties.

The author concludes that the delay in passing the Ukraine aid package was not only procedural but deeply rooted in ideological divisions. While the Senate maintained bipartisan support for Ukraine, the House of Representatives, dominated by pro-Trump isolationists, obstructed the legislative process for several months. The 2024 election campaign and Trump’s influence further aggravated internal conflicts within the Republican Party, affecting U.S. strategic positioning in the global arena.

Key words: U.S. Congress, foreign policy, aid to Ukraine, ideological polarization, Republican Party, Donald Trump, U.S. Senate.

Submitted: 16.12.2024


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