Yet another air raid siren sound pierces the calm over Kyiv.
Fallen leaves on the ground foretell of another harsh winter to come, punctuated by more deadly Russian strikes. News from across the Atlantic—that US President Trump, blocker of most direct US aid to Ukraine - has had a massive electoral defeat isn't raising spirits much.
"Almost nothing will change for us."
"We hope, but we're not expecting immediate results. There won't be any instant changes."
If there are any signs of optimism on Ukraine, it’s coming largely from the likes of EU officials.
KAJA KALLAS, EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF:
"I hope that the new Congress and the new Senate will continue supporting Ukraine and, and also putting more pressure on Russia."
Iranians have taken note of the news too, burning a likeness of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tehran. Here, there’s great skepticism anything will change as the US and Iran remain locked in conflict.
"For us, it makes no difference because the US is an enemy of Iran. America is the enemy regardless."
"I believe whether it is the Democrats or the Republicans, there is no difference as far as we are concerned. The US government's approach towards the Iranian people has unfortunately remained the same over the past 50 years."
But the reception of the news of the Republican defeat hasn’t been quite so gloomy everywhere. Some of America's western European allies have welcomed the election results.
JEAN-NOEL BARROT, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER:
"The elections went perfectly. The results cannot and are not being challenged. The president of the United States himself admitted and acknowledged the over-achievement of the Democratic candidates. It is therefore very good news for American democracy and yet another demonstration that, in a democracy, it is the people who write their own history and that no one, neither algorithms nor private interests, can do it in their place."
In Asia, reactions are restrained...but show a continued willingness to engage with the new political arrangement in the US. In Taipei, officials say they will keep deepening security, economic, technological and educational ties based on the longstanding bipartisan congressional support for Taiwan.
WELLINGTON KOO, TAIWAN DEFENSE MINISTER:
"I think the US Congress has long supported Taiwan regardless of party affiliation in strengthening its defense capabilities. We will continue to communicate with these members of Congress. Of course, we will also continue to maintain close contact with the US Department of Defense to ensure that all related arms sales proceed according to plan."
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary stressed the importance of the US-Japan alliance in uncertain times.
While China, a chief target in Trump’s trade wars, had this reaction.
MAO NING, SPOKESPERSON CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY:
"The midterm elections are an internal affair of the United States. China is willing to continue working with the US to uphold and implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state strengthen communication, properly manage differences expand cooperation and build a constructive strategically stable China-US relationship based on the principles of respect, fairness and reciprocity."
With roughly two months until the new Congress is seated, it’s still too early to say what the seismic shift in control of its two chambers will bring. Around the world, as people and governments absorb the news, it’s the start of a period of wait-and-see.
Dolphine Chen and John Van Trieste for TaiwanPlus.
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