US Senator Chuck Grassley called on Congress to advance the Russia sanctions legislation championed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, describing its passage as a way to honor Graham’s legacy and support for Ukraine.
“Just two days before he passed, he was in Ukraine meeting with Zelensky,” Grassley said.
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“He was announcing that he was going to move forward on some very important legislation, putting additional sanctions on Russia because of their invasion of Ukraine. And I think we can show our gratitude and appreciation of Senator Graham by moving this legislation forward.”
Graham met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday, during what became his final foreign visit. Their talks focused on Ukraine’s air-defense needs, diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war and stronger sanctions against Moscow and those supporting its aggression.
During the meeting, Graham briefed Zelensky on progress toward passing the sanctions bill and argued that Ukraine’s battlefield successes should be reinforced by increased economic pressure on Russia.
Earlier that day, Graham joined Senators Richard Blumenthal, Jeanne Shaheen and Roger Wicker in announcing an agreement with the Trump administration to move forward with revised Russia sanctions legislation.
The lawmakers said the measure was intended to impose a heavy price on purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas that help finance the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine.
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“We’ve reached an agreement with the White House on a version of the Russian sanctions bill that they will support,” Graham told reporters in Kyiv, predicting that the legislation would become law.
Graham died late Saturday at the age of 71, less than two days after meeting Zelensky. The South Carolina Republican had been one of Ukraine’s most prominent supporters in Congress and a leading advocate for stronger economic pressure on Russia.
Grassley’s appeal adds to growing bipartisan calls for Congress to complete the sanctions legislation Graham pursued during his final days.
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