Zelenskyy takes up “hellish sanctions” bill with US lawmakers amid Kyiv attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed late US Senator Lindsey Graham’s “hellish sanctions” bill and the need to tighten sanctions with US congressmen as Russian forces launched a ballistic strike on Kyiv.

Writing on Telegram, Zelenskyy said the discussions focused on strengthening pressure on Russia and providing Ukraine with additional protection against ballistic attacks, Caliber.Az reports.

“Today, the Russians launched a ballistic strike on Kyiv precisely when we were discussing Lindsey Graham’s bill and the need to tighten sanctions at a meeting with congressmen. Russia will not end this war without pressure. At the moment when people were sleeping, flashes from explosions could be seen in the sky. Once again, Kyiv and civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, a maternity hospital, energy and logistics facilities were the main targets of their strike. Two people are already known to have been killed. My condolences to all their relatives and loved ones. There are also injured people. Emergency services are working — people are trapped inside one of the buildings.

The air threat continues in some regions of the country. We spoke specifically about how to protect against this with Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Quigley, Marcy Kaptur, Jared Golden, Joe Wilson and Gregory Meeks. Every such attack happens because pressure on the aggressor has still not become total, and Russia believes it can continue to rely on ballistic terror. The United States now has an opportunity to respond strongly. Ballistic missile interceptors are needed to protect lives. Sanctions against Russia and those helping it earn money should be implemented. Thank you to both parties for their readiness to help protect lives,” the Ukrainian president noted.

At least two people were killed and six injured in Kyiv following the missile attack, according to the latest information.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that he would use his powers under Lindsey Graham’s sanctions bill to impose tariffs “if necessary,” adding that it was time to “stop the killing.”  The bill would give the US president new powers to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian energy and is intended to pressure major importers of Russian oil and gas, including India, China and Türkiye.

By Jeyhun Aghazada