Zelenskyy and Finland’s Stubb convinced US senators to back 'bone crushing' sanctions on Russia
Photo: Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Finnish President Alexander Stubb managed to convince US senators to support a bill on tough sanctions against Russia, reports Axios.
Ahead of the first procedural vote in the US Senate on a bill introducing new sanctions against Russia and Iran, some Democrats were hesitant about whether to vote for the package, as they were concerned about the new tariffs imposed by the US president.
However, according to Axios sources, Zelenskyy and Stubb "gave compelling arguments" in favor of introducing the sanctions and tariff package, arguing that Russia is in a losing position.
Zelenskyy also watched the vote from the Senate chamber.
Bone-crushing sanctions against Russia
On July 28, the US Senate supported, during a procedural vote, a bill to strengthen sanctions against Russia and Iran, one of the authors of which was Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while visiting the United States, met with more than 60 American senators.
Zelenskyy said that the new US sanctions bill against Russia is important not only in the context of pressure on the Kremlin but also serves as an important signal for Europe.
So far, the sanctions against Russia have not been finally approved. They still require another Senate vote, which lawmakers plan to complete before August, and then the bill will move to the House of Representatives.
