Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, together with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, successfully persuaded U.S. senators to support a bill imposing strict sanctions against Russia. RBC-Ukraine reported this, citing Axios.
Support for Sanctions
Ahead of the first procedural vote in the U.S. Senate on imposing new sanctions against Russia and Iran, some Democrats were hesitant due to concerns about new tariffs that the U.S. president might impose. However, according to Axios sources, Zelenskyy and Stubbs presented compelling arguments in favor of the sanctions, asserting that Russia is in a weak position.
Zelenskyy at the vote
Zelensky personally observed the vote in the Senate chamber.
Background on the Vote
As a reminder, on July 28, the U.S. Senate, during a procedural vote, supported a bill to strengthen sanctions against Russia and Iran, one of the authors of which was Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. It is known that Zelenskyy, while on a visit to the U.S., met with more than 60 U.S. senators. He emphasized that the new sanctions bill is significant not only for putting pressure on the Kremlin but also as an important signal to Europe. Although the sanctions have not yet been finalized, they are awaiting another vote in the Senate, which is scheduled to take place by August, after which the House of Representatives will have its say.
