Beirut: The US Senate overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to advance legislation that would impose new sanctions on Russia, approving a procedural motion to begin consideration of the measure.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Senate voted 86-12 to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 5334, the legislative vehicle for the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, clearing the way for debate on the measure. The senators who opposed the procedural motion included Lisa Blunt Rochester, Maggie Hassan, Mazie Hirono, Andy Kim, Ed Markey, Jon Ossoff, Alex Padilla, Rand Paul, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch, and Ron Wyden.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy observed the vote from the front row of the Senate gallery, attending the proceedings as a tribute to the bill's author, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, whose funeral was held earlier in the day. Speaking to reporters at the Capitol ahead of the vote, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the legislation. "It's not only about the money ... But it's also a big signal to Europe, big signal to Ukraine, big support of our people. So I'm very thankful," he stated.
During his visit to Washington, Zelenskyy held discussions with President Donald Trump and US senators about Ukraine's urgent air defense needs. "The real problem is anti-ballistic systems and anti-ballistic missiles," Zelenskyy remarked. "Of course, I shared what we need . I shared it with the president today."
The Senate's procedural vote advances the Russia sanctions legislation closer to formal debate and a final vote in the upper chamber. Separately, at a meeting with more than 60 senators in Washington, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the bipartisan support and discussed Ukraine's defense needs alongside the Senate vote advancing the sanctions bill. He highlighted the symbolic nature of the Senate's action in honoring Graham, who was a staunch advocate for tougher measures against Russia.
Graham, a US Republican senator for the state of South Carolina for over 23 years, passed away earlier this month after a brief illness at the age of 71.