The US Senate on Tuesday took the first procedural step towards advancing a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watching the vote from the Senate gallery. The bipartisan move marked progress on legislation aimed at penalising countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, gas and other exports amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The Senate voted 86-12 to move forward with the legislation, clearing a key procedural hurdle after more than a year of negotiations.

The vote came on the same day as a funeral service for Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who had played a central role in negotiating the sanctions proposal.  Graham was one of the key lawmakers involved in pushing the bipartisan measure forward. Zelenskyy was in Washington to attend the funeral and used his visit to meet with US lawmakers before the Senate vote. During discussions with senators, the Ukrainian president said his country was continuing to resist Russian aggression but still required additional support from the United States.

He highlighted the importance of continued international pressure on Moscow through diplomatic and economic measures. After meeting with senators, Zelenskyy attended the Senate proceedings from the gallery and waved in support as lawmakers voted on the measure. The Ukrainian leader later described the vote as an important step towards implementing the plans associated with Senator Graham’s efforts and advancing the broader goal of achieving peace. Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana said Zelenskyy told lawmakers that the sanctions legislation represented an important moral signal to Russia.

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According to Young, the Ukrainian president emphasised that Ukraine has remained resilient despite the prolonged conflict but continues to require assistance from its international partners. The proposed sanctions package seeks to increase pressure on Russia by targeting countries that continue economic engagement with Moscow, particularly through purchases of Russian energy exports. Supporters of the bill argue that reducing Russia’s ability to generate revenue from oil and gas sales could weaken its capacity to sustain military operations in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also highlighted other key areas of cooperation during his meetings in Washington. In a post on X, he said discussions focused on several issues, including anti-ballistic defence systems. He described his presence during the Senate vote as an honour and said the move represented progress towards implementing measures that could contribute to peace. Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy met with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss ways Washington could support Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The meeting focused on continued assistance and potential steps to address the conflict, as both sides explore options for strengthening Ukraine’s position. The Senate action comes as lawmakers continue debating the US approach towards Russia and its role in supporting Ukraine. While the sanctions bill still faces further legislative steps before becoming law, Tuesday’s vote demonstrated significant bipartisan support for increasing economic pressure on Moscow. The measure is expected to remain a key part of discussions over America’s foreign policy response to the ongoing conflict.

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