Zelensky says Ukraine counts on US approval of new Russia sanctions package
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is counting on the United States to approve a new sanctions package against Russia. A bill sponsored by US Senator Lindsey Graham to strengthen sanctions against Russia and Iran was approved by the Senate on August 7 and sent to the House of Representatives. Zelensky also sought to separate the visit of American negotiators to Kyiv from the sanctions track, framing it as part of restoring the negotiating process.
Key points
- Zelensky said Ukraine expects a positive US decision on a new sanctions package against Russia.
- Zelensky said the US side did not raise sanctions during the current visit of American negotiators to Ukraine.
- Zelensky said the arrival of American negotiators in Ukraine is part of restoring the negotiating track, not linked to sanctions.
- Zelensky said the work of Senator Lindsey Graham on the sanctions bill should be positively noted by the United States.
- On August 7 the US Senate approved Graham's bill on strengthening sanctions against Russia and Iran and sent it to the House of Representatives.
- Senator Richard Blumenthal expressed optimism about a vote on the package and hopes the House will approve the bill in September.
- US Presidential Adviser Jared Kushner held a briefing in Kyiv after negotiations with the Ukrainian side.
Why it matters
A new US sanctions package against Russia would be a significant tool of pressure on Moscow as the war continues. The story tracks the status of Senator Lindsey Graham's bill — approved by the Senate and pending in the House of Representatives — and Ukraine's push to keep the sanctions and negotiating tracks moving in parallel.
What happened
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is counting on the United States to approve a new sanctions package against Russia and that the work of Senator Lindsey Graham on the sanctions bill should be positively noted. During the visit of American negotiators to Ukraine, the US side did not raise sanctions, and Zelensky framed the visit as part of restoring the negotiating track rather than a sanctions-related move. Zelensky also expressed doubt that Russia wants anything other than occupation while stressing the need to keep up diplomatic efforts. Separately, a bill sponsored by Graham to strengthen sanctions against Russia and Iran was approved by the US Senate on August 7 and sent to the House of Representatives, where Senator Richard Blumenthal said he hoped it would be approved in September. US Presidential Adviser Jared Kushner held a briefing in Kyiv after negotiations with the Ukrainian side.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian sources center Zelensky's statements and frame the story around Ukraine's expectation that the United States will approve a new sanctions package. They highlight support for Senator Lindsey Graham's work on the bill and the optimism voiced by Senator Richard Blumenthal about the chances of a vote. Ukrainian coverage separates the visit of American negotiators in Kyiv from the sanctions track, presenting it as restoring the negotiating process, and stresses the importance of US visits to Ukraine after trips to Moscow. Zelensky's stated doubt that Russia wants anything other than occupation is given prominence as part of Ukraine's reading of Moscow's intent.
Where reporting differs
One source reports that, according to Zelensky, Lindsey Graham's bill has not yet been considered in the US Senate, while other facts in the set state that on August 7 the Senate approved Graham's bill on strengthening sanctions against Russia and Iran and sent it to the House of Representatives. The same source quotes Zelensky as hoping the sanctions will be approved and as not connecting the visit of American negotiators to Kyiv with a possible attempt to abandon sanctions; other facts indicate the US side did not raise sanctions during the visit and that Zelensky framed the visit as part of restoring the negotiating track.
Background
European advisers and leaders have joined the negotiating format alongside the US side, according to Zelensky. Zelensky also stressed that US representatives visiting Moscow should also visit Ukraine as part of the negotiating process.