US Senate advances Russia sanctions bill after Zelensky meeting

The U.S. Senate has taken a procedural step toward imposing new sanctions on Russia, voting 86-12 to advance a bill that includes measures against Moscow. This action occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The bill, named in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, aims to sanction Russian officials and allow the White House to impose duties on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas.

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Putin loses 30,000 soldiers a month, these are huge losses, yet he does not want to stop this war. So the initiative is no longer in Putin's hands.

While the procedural vote has passed, the final vote on the bill remains uncertain, with potential delays due to ongoing debates. Senators are scheduled to leave Washington for their summer recess soon, and the House of Representatives, currently on break until September, must also approve the legislation before it can be sent to President Trump for his signature.

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We want to end this war: President Trump wants it, the Europeans want it. Putin does not want it. We ask every day to stop this war. That is why we must react, be tough, be strong. We are counting on sanctions. Among other things, Lindsey's bill was very important.

Zelensky, speaking to Fox News after attending the funeral of Senator Graham, described the Russian president's significant monthly troop losses as "huge." He asserted that despite these losses, Putin is unwilling to end the war, suggesting the initiative is no longer solely with him. Zelensky emphasized the desire of Ukraine, President Trump, and European nations to end the conflict, contrasting it with Putin's perceived unwillingness.

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Lockheed Martin is the company that produces the Atacms, the Himars, the F-16s, and the missiles for the Patriot systems.

During his visit, Zelensky also met with representatives from Lockheed Martin, a major U.S. defense contractor. He highlighted the company's role in producing key military hardware such as ATACMS, HIMARS, F-16s, and Patriot missile systems, with whom Ukraine has a long-standing collaboration. Discussions reportedly focused on the further development of these systems and Ukraine's defense capabilities.

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I had an important meeting with over 60 bipartisan senators, thanking them for their support and high regard for the results achieved by our fighters at the front and Ukraine's ability to respond justly to Russia for the attacks against our people. We discussed many issues, first and foremost ballistic missile defense. Thank you for your willingness to help us.