WASHINGTON DC – Senior Ukrainian officials have concluded a series of intensive meetings with key figures in Washington on Thursday, including an encounter with Donald Trump’s special envoy, as Kyiv seeks to secure concrete military and economic commitments ahead of a crucial meeting between the two nations’ presidents.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, led the delegation, which included the former Minister of Defense and current head of the Security Council Rustem Umerov, and the First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya.
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They met with Lt. Gen. (Ret) Keith Kellogg, Trump’s Special Envoy for Ukraine, at the State Department to “align key priorities and focus areas.”
Yermak expressed hope for “concrete decisions” on Friday following the anticipated presidential meeting.
The diplomacy unfolded as Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna described Russia’s latest air attacks as a campaign of “double terror,” with Moscow launching more than 300 attack drones and 37 missiles overnight against civilian and energy infrastructure.
In a social media post, Stefanishyna insisted that Vladimir Putin “is deaf to the world’s calls,” and only understands “the language of pressure – sanctions, long-range capabilities, and the determination of partners.”
Closing the sanctions loophole
A central theme of Kyiv’s lobbying has been closing loopholes that allow Russia to finance its war machine.
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In a meeting with the Republican chair of the House Committee on Financial Services, Rep. French Hill (R-AR), Yermak was told that “the current sanctions are not enough to break the backbone of Russia’s economy.”
Yermak highlighted the critical role of Russia’s “shadow fleet” in selling oil outside imposed restrictions, stating that “Petrodollars are still being turned into missiles aimed at Ukrainian cities.”
In a rare alignment with a European proposal, Hill supported a plan to offer Ukraine a loan to buy weapons, which would be backed by frozen Russian assets.
The loan would only be repaid by Ukraine once Russia has fulfilled its obligations on war reparations – a mechanism Yermak called “not only fair – it is pragmatic.”
Yermak noted that President Trump is “ready to take decisive action,” but stressed that its full impact can “only be achieved through synchronized action with Europe.”
Bipartisan push for action
The delegation also engaged with a broad, bipartisan array of US senators on key issues including defense cooperation, economic pressure, and the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia.
Yermak confirmed discussions with prominent figures, including Republican senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jim Risch (R-ID), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Katie Britt (R-AL), and Democratic senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), as well as Independent Angus King (I-ME).
Topics ranged from expanding joint “Drone Deal” production to using frozen Russian assets to boost Ukraine’s air defense and long-range strike capabilities.
Yermak also gave thanks for separate meetings with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA).
A senior Congressional aide familiar with the meetings told Kyiv Post that a special focus was a proposed bill that would designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism until it returns all kidnapped Ukrainian children.
Trump’s “peace path” complicates sanctions
The Ukrainian appeal for tougher sanctions coincides with President Trump’s balancing act between his desire for a swift peace deal and Congress’s intent to impose new penalties on Moscow.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a close Trump ally who has championed the new sanctions bill, expressed appreciation for Trump’s personal engagement in trying to end the “bloodbath.”
However, Graham also insisted that Washington must “continue to sell Ukraine the weapons they need” and that “there is no military solution.”
Graham confirmed that Senate majority leader John Thune (R-SD) intends to bring up the Russia Sanctions Bill within the next 30 days, positioning it as “another tool in President Trump’s toolbox.”
He was also encouraged by reports that India might forgo purchasing Russian oil, calling it a “giant step forward.”
But the ultimate fate of the sanctions remains uncertain.
When asked by reporters Thursday afternoon about the proposed bill, Trump demurred, stating he would discuss it with congressional leadership later. “We want to get peace,” Trump said, citing a figure of “7,000 people a week” being killed.
“I’m not against anything,” Trump added, leaving the decision to proceed with the bipartisan sanctions firmly in his own court.
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