Zelenskyy, Graham discuss sanctions with major impact on Russia
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks on Monday, January 13, with US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal. The discussions focused on anti-Russia sanctions, security guarantees, and other key issues, according to a post by the head of state.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there are many factors that are making Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, and, consequently, Russia as a whole, significantly weaker. He stressed the importance of maximizing all possible forms of pressure to force Russia to end the war.
"We discussed the current status of the senators’ sanctions bill, which could have a significant impact on Russia’s position and on everyone who is helping it in this war," the president said.
Zelenskyy also briefed the senators on Russia’s combined attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
"These are hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles every day, deliberately launched during this extremely cold winter. That is why air defense missiles are our top priority, and we are counting on the support of our partners," he emphasized.
In addition, the president informed US lawmakers about the progress of Ukraine’s contacts with representatives of the administration of US President Donald Trump. According to Zelenskyy, the sides are already very close to finalizing the relevant documents.
"I am grateful to the senators for their stance on the importance of security guarantees and for their continued bipartisan support in the US Congress. Everyone remembers what the Budapest Memorandum was, and no one wants a repeat of that," he said.
Zelenskyy described the talks as constructive and said the sides agreed to continue the dialogue and discuss the issues further during an in-person meeting in the near future.
"Thank you for the assistance and bipartisan support," he concluded.
US sanctions against Russia
Last week, on Wednesday, January 7, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that US President Donald Trump had given the "green light" to a bipartisan sanctions bill against Russia.
Graham noted that the sanctions package would allow Trump to penalize countries that purchase cheap Russian oil and thus finance the Kremlin’s war machine.
The bill imposes 500% tariffs on imports to the United States from countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or uranium.
A few days later, Trump confirmed that he does support the bill, adding that his backing would depend on the sanctions being placed under his authority.
