Kamala Harris pushes Ukraine-focused ads in crucial election states

According to Politico, the ads emphasize Harris's expertise with Ukraine while criticizing her opponent, Donald Trump, for his handling of Russia.

Run by a Democratic super PAC, the campaign will feature television and digital ads in Pennsylvania, followed by Michigan and Wisconsin. It is emphasized that a significant number of people with Ukrainian, Polish, and Lithuanian roots live in these three American states.

Kamala Harris mentioned the “800,000 Polish Americans right here in Pennsylvania” during her debate with Trump, suggesting that Poland could be Russia’s next target after Ukraine. She also claimed, “If Donald Trump were president, Putin would be in Kyiv right now.”

According to Politico, these ads represent a “new approach” by Democrats, aiming to connect with communities for whom the war in Ukraine hits personally. The campaign is trying to convince voters that Trump would abandon Ukraine and NATO allies on the eastern flank

In Pennsylvania, over 700,000 residents, or about 5%, are of Polish descent, and around 122,000 are Ukrainian. Michigan has about 40,000 Ukrainians and 900,000 Polish Americans, while Wisconsin has 480,000 people of Polish descent.

A CATO Institute and YouGov poll shows that voters in these states believe Trump is more likely to end the war in Ukraine and keep the U.S. out of further conflicts.

In 2020, President Joe Biden won Pennsylvania by 80,000 votes, Michigan by 154,000 votes, and Wisconsin by 20,000 votes.

• U.S. presidential candidate Kamala Harris says Donald Trump will “surrender Ukraine” within 24 hours of winning the presidential election.