Zelenskyy thanks US Senate for new sanctions against Russia

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the passage by the US Senate of a bill strengthening sanctions against Russia and Iran. According to him, further economic pressure on Moscow can help bring the war to an end and create conditions for diplomacy.

Zelenskyy thanked the American senators and stressed that Ukraine appreciates the bipartisan support from the US.

"Real strong American pressure and sanctions against Russia are what will help the most. Diplomacy becomes closer with every step of pressure on the aggressor," the president said.

He separately drew attention to the intensification of Russian ballistic missile strikes. According to Zelenskyy, Moscow is banking on ballistic missiles in an attempt to drag out the war, so Ukraine needs additional interceptor missiles for Patriot systems.

On August 7, the US Senate approved the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The bill provides for primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and entities that help finance the war against Ukraine.

The restrictions could affect Russian officials, financial institutions, representatives of big business, foreign companies and Russia’s “shadow fleet”. The document also gives the US president the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas and states actively helping to circumvent energy sanctions.

At the same time, the bill has not yet entered into force. After approval by the Senate, it must be supported by the House of Representatives, after which the document will go to the US president for signature.

Earlier, the passage of the bill was also welcomed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Based on materials from: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US Senate