Zelenskyy meets US senators: sanctions and ballistic missile defence discussed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US senators from both parties – Richard Blumenthal and James Lankford – in Kyiv on 23 August.
Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda
Details: Zelenskyy thanked the American lawmakers for their unwavering bipartisan and bicameral support, referring to the anti-Russia sanctions bill championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
"We appreciate that work continues in both chambers of the US Congress to increase pressure on Russia, and we hope that Lindsey Graham's bill on sanctions against Russia and Iran can ultimately be passed," he stressed.
Zelenskyy briefed the senators on Russia's constant ballistic missile terror and emphasised that Ukraine must have the capabilities to counter such strikes. According to him, Washington granting licences for Patriot production "could significantly help".
They also discussed cooperation between Ukraine and the US, bilateral agreements and prospective projects.
Background:
- On 7 August, the US Senate approved the sanctions bill against Russia with 86 votes in favour. The bill was co-authored by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal. It concerns "punitive" tariffs on countries that import Russian energy resources.
- Further consideration in the House of Representatives and passage are possible no earlier than September – lawmakers are on recess until 31 August.
- US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his wish for the bill to include provisions on Iran but indicated he is prepared to sign it out of respect for the late Graham.
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