Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently met with U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse to discuss the ongoing conflict with Russia and the importance of bipartisan support from the United States. Zelensky expressed gratitude for this support, emphasizing its significance in the pursuit of peace.
During the meeting, Zelensky highlighted the necessity of applying pressure on Moscow as a primary means of influence. He noted that a crucial sanctions bill is currently under consideration in the Senate, which he hopes will be effective in addressing the situation.
In his remarks, Zelensky also informed the senators about the continuous Russian attacks affecting both Ukrainian citizens and American businesses operating in the region. He argued that it is reasonable for Russian assets to be utilized in defense against these aggressions, proposing the potential use of frozen Russian assets to fund the purchase of missiles for the Patriot air defense systems.
While neither Senator Blumenthal nor Senator Whitehouse has publicly commented on the meeting, both participated in the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, where discussions on global security challenges, including the situation in Ukraine, were prominent.
This meeting follows the introduction of a bipartisan bill in December 2022, known as the “Decreasing Russian Oil Profits Act of 2025.” This legislation aims to impose sanctions on the purchase or facilitation of oil and petroleum product imports from Russia, reflecting ongoing efforts to diminish Russia’s economic capabilities amid the conflict.
Ukrainian President Zelensky met with U.S. Senators to discuss ongoing support against Russian aggression and the potential use of frozen Russian assets for defense. This dialogue highlights the significance of bipartisan U.S. efforts and recent legislative initiatives aimed at sanctioning Russian oil imports.