Overview
- Ruslan Stefanchuk met House Speaker Mike Johnson in Washington to discuss strengthening support for Ukraine and the role of both parliaments in shaping a just, durable peace.
- Stefanchuk conferred with Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal on what he called “hellish sanctions” designed to force Russia toward peace, detailing potential measures and timelines.
- He stressed that rigorously enforcing existing sanctions matters more than introducing new packages, citing Russia’s use of a shadow fleet to keep exporting energy products.
- He briefed lawmakers on strikes against Ukraine’s energy system and urged stronger air defenses, thanking Graham for promoting an initiative to transfer Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
- Congressional action remains gradual, with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee advancing the Shadow Fleet Sanctions Act and a House discharge petition at 217 signatures—one short of forcing a vote—as Stefanchuk also highlighted the abduction of Ukrainian children, with estimates reaching up to 35,000.