Zelensky Hails Senate Sanctions Vote as Putin Makes ‘Final Bet’ on Ballistic Missiles

“We are very grateful to the US Senate and to everyone who supports Ukraine,” President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote Friday after senators overwhelmingly approved new sanctions legislation targeting Russia and Iran. The Senate voted 86-11 to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a bipartisan measure championed by the late Republican senator from South Carolina. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Zelensky framed the vote as part of a broader effort to increase pressure on Moscow as Ukraine urgently seeks more Patriot interceptor missiles against Russian ballistic attacks. Economic pressure and air defense In his message, Zelensky directly linked the sanctions push in Washington to one of Ukraine’s most urgent defense needs: additional missiles for its Patriot air defense systems. “Now, when Putin is making his final bet on ballistic missiles to drag out the war, and when we are searching every nook and cranny so hard for Patriot missiles to protect ourselves, every signal in support of defending lives and bringing the war to an end as soon as possible is extremely important,” Zelensky wrote. He argued that sustained economic pressure could also create conditions for diplomacy. “Real, strong American pressure and sanctions against Russia are what will help the most. Diplomacy comes closer with every step of pressure on the aggressor.” Other Topics of Interest Russian Attack Kills 3, Including Child, Near Kyiv as Capital Faces Ballistic Missile Threat Three people, including a child, were killed in Kyiv region as Russian drones targeted Ukraine, with explosions heard in Kyiv and Dnipro. Zelensky also thanked both US political parties and the American public for supporting Ukraine, closing his message by praising those who advance “PEACE through STRENGTH.” What the bill would do The legislation would impose primary and secondary sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions, energy projects and foreign actors supporting Moscow’s war. It also targets Russia’s “shadow fleet,” including older and reflagged oil tankers used to circumvent existing sanctions. One of its most significant provisions would give the US president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that rank among the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas, as well as major facilitators of Russian energy sanctions evasion. China and India are among the countries that could be affected. The tariff authority is discretionary rather than automatic. The bill also preserves sanctions authority restricting funding for Iran’s energy and weapons sectors. House fight ahead Despite the overwhelming Senate vote, the bill still faces scrutiny in the House. Some lawmakers have raised concerns that the new tariff powers could increase costs for US importers and consumers or give the White House overly broad discretion over trade policy. Representatives Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer have specifically criticized the tariff provisions. The House is expected to consider the legislation after lawmakers return from summer recess on Aug. 31. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.