In brief: Ian Brzezinski, an Atlantic Council senior fellow and former senior Pentagon official, told TVP World that the incoming Democratic-controlled Congress could compel President Donald Trump to enforce tougher sanctions on Russia, restore military and economic assistance to Ukraine and prevent reductions in US forces stationed in Europe. He argued that bipartisan cooperation could constrain Trump’s approach to Moscow, although the president would retain substantial constitutional authority over foreign and national security policy.
The incoming Democratic-controlled US Congress could pass veto-proof legislation requiring President Donald Trump to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, restore American military assistance to Ukraine and restrict potential US troop withdrawals from Europe, according to Ian Brzezinski, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and former senior Pentagon official.
Speaking in an interview with TVP World following Tuesday’s midterm elections, Brzezinski argued that the Democratic takeover of both chambers of Congress could fundamentally alter Washington’s approach to Moscow, even as Trump retains considerable authority over US foreign policy.
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“I bet you, under this new Congress that’s coming in, you could get veto-proof margins on legislation that wouldn’t just give the president authorities to impose stricter sanctions on Russia, but would actually require him by law to execute the law of stronger sanctions,” Brzezinski said.
He suggested that lawmakers could go beyond authorizing additional sanctions by making their implementation mandatory, potentially limiting the president’s discretion over economic pressure on Moscow.
Under the US Constitution, overriding a presidential veto requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress, meaning such legislation would need substantial bipartisan support.
Brzezinski said the new political balance in Washington could also create an opportunity to restore American military and economic assistance to Ukraine.
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“I could see Congress doing more to reanimate security assistance and economic assistance from the US to Ukraine,” he said, referring to assistance that he argued Trump had curtailed during his second presidency.
The remarks follow the Democratic takeover of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections, which ended Republican control of both chambers and handed Democrats greater influence over federal spending, legislation and oversight.
According to election results reported Wednesday, Democrats secured at least 54 Senate seats and substantial gains in the House, marking a major political setback for Trump’s administration.
The newly elected Congress is scheduled to convene in January 2027.
Congress could block US troop reductions in Europe
Brzezinski also suggested that lawmakers could use their budgetary powers to restrict potential reductions in the American military presence in Europe, an issue that has raised concerns among NATO allies.
“I can see Congress rolling up its sleeves and taking a more assertive role in the future of the US force posture in Europe,” he said.
According to Brzezinski, the Trump administration is expected to complete a review of US force deployments in Europe within the coming months, raising concerns that the White House could seek significant reductions.
He noted that Congress had already adopted legislation requiring greater transparency from the administration regarding potential troop withdrawals, including additional reporting and justification if American troop levels in Europe fall below 76,000.
However, Brzezinski argued that lawmakers could move beyond oversight requirements and use their control over federal appropriations to make substantial withdrawals more difficult.
“They could actually mandate and use the power over the appropriations and the budget to make such reductions much more difficult,” he said.
He noted that relocating permanently stationed American forces would involve considerable costs, giving Congress potential leverage through defense spending legislation.
Such measures could become particularly important for NATO’s eastern members, including Poland and the Baltic states, which rely heavily on the American military presence as a deterrent against Russian aggression.
Republicans could join Democrats in challenging Trump’s Russia policy
Brzezinski argued that the Democratic victories could also encourage Republican lawmakers to take a more independent position on Russia, Ukraine and NATO.
He said both parties traditionally share broader support for transatlantic security cooperation than Trump’s own approach to international alliances.
“We got to remember both parties, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, are much more traditional in their thinking when it comes down to the transatlantic security relationship and Russia and America’s role in the world,” he said.
Brzezinski pointed to previous bipartisan congressional efforts to strengthen NATO, support a permanent US military presence in Poland and restrict presidential authority to reduce American deployments in Europe.
He argued that Trump’s midterm defeat could weaken the president’s influence over Republican lawmakers, potentially making them more willing to cooperate with Democrats on national security.
“I think they’re going to be more willing to stand up and support Congress pressing the administration, the Trump administration, onto a different path when it comes down to managing the war in Ukraine, Russia, our commitments to the transatlantic security relationship,” he said.
However, he cautioned that congressional pressure would not necessarily force an immediate change in White House policy.
“Will that be decisive? Hard to predict,” Brzezinski said, emphasizing that Trump retains substantial constitutional powers over national security, even after the electoral setback.
Brzezinski criticizes Trump’s approach to Putin
The former Pentagon official also criticized Trump’s attempts to improve relations with Moscow through economic engagement, arguing that the administration had continued offering incentives to Russia while pressuring Ukraine to make concessions.
“I’m not convinced that Trump is going to try and forge a new policy,” Brzezinski said.
He argued that Trump appeared committed to an approach centered on attracting Russia to negotiations through potential business opportunities while applying political, economic and military pressure on Kyiv.
“Perhaps this outcome will help him rethink this approach, but he continues to drive forward in it, as of today,” he said.
Brzezinski also questioned Trump’s understanding of America’s strategic interests in Europe, arguing that the president appeared skeptical of forward defense and multilateral alliances.
He suggested that Trump was pursuing a broader arrangement in which Washington, Moscow and Beijing could cooperate in managing international affairs.
“It’s almost like he has a misunderstanding of Yalta,” Brzezinski said, referring to the 1945 conference at which Allied leaders discussed Europe’s postwar order.
He characterized such an approach as potentially dangerous, arguing that it could undermine established US security commitments and weaken cooperation with European allies.
Trump has maintained that his engagement with Moscow is intended to end Russia’s war against Ukraine and has repeatedly defended his diplomatic approach.
Brzezinski’s remarks come as Kyiv and Washington prepare for another round of peace negotiations with Russia, scheduled for Nov. 10–11 in Abu Dhabi.
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