US Senate opens debate on Graham-backed Russia sanctions bill
The US Senate began debating a Russia sanctions bill co-authored by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, with a vote possibly coming the same day before recess.
On Thursday evening Kyiv time, the US Senate opened debate on a bill imposing sanctions on Russia, co-authored by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. President Donald Trump has signaled he is prepared to sign it into law.
Several senators speaking during the debate referenced the escalation of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and stressed the importance of restricting Russia's ability to fund its ongoing war effort.
Kateryna Lisunova, a former Voice of America correspondent now reporting for the Razom for Ukraine initiative, said the final vote could come within roughly half an hour, at noon Washington time — 19:00 in Kyiv. She noted that this session marks the Senate's last before its recess.
Background
The Senate had earlier disclosed details of the bill's updated version. Trump said he would like provisions addressing Iran included in the legislation, but emphasized his willingness to sign it regardless, out of respect for the late Senator Graham.
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