Senate takes first steps on Russian sanctions as Zelenskyy watches from Senate gallery - AP News

What the report says

The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Senate advanced a broad Russia sanctions measure Tuesday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watched from the Senate gallery during a visit to the Capitol in Washington. The bipartisan procedural vote, 86-12, was the first formal step toward passing legislation aimed at countries that keep buying Russian oil, gas and other exports.

The vote came hours after the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who had been a lead negotiator on the bill. AP reported that Zelenskyy was in Washington for Graham’s service and met with senators before the vote, telling them Ukraine was making gains against Russia but still needed U.S. support. Senators including Richard Blumenthal, Todd Young, Jim Justice, Mike Rounds and Jeanne Shaheen described the bill as a way to increase pressure on Moscow and push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward negotiations.

According to AP, Graham and Blumenthal had announced a deal with the White House on July 10, shortly before Graham’s death. The bill would let the president impose tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, with China and India identified among the top purchasers. It also includes sanctions targeting Putin, senior Russian officials, financial institutions, energy projects and older reflagged tankers used to evade existing restrictions.

The measure also contains presidential waiver authority and an Iran sanctions extension requested by President Donald Trump. Some Democrats remain wary of granting Trump additional tariff power, with Sen. Ron Wyden saying he planned to seek changes.