During his visit to Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy managed to convince American lawmakers that Ukraine is capable of winning the war with Russia, and that new sanctions could force the Kremlin to sit down at the negotiating table. Politico reports, citing UNN.
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The publication notes that Zelenskyy's current visit to the United States stands in stark contrast to his difficult trip to the White House in February 2025. After meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Ukrainian leader left the White House in high spirits, and later attended the Senate vote that paved the way for the adoption of a new sanctions bill against Russia.
According to Republican Senator Mike Rounds, during a closed meeting with lawmakers, Zelenskyy emphasized that tightening sanctions could force Vladimir Putin to think more seriously about negotiations.
The whole idea is to bring Putin to the negotiating table
Politico notes that the Ukrainian president explained to American politicians that sanctions would help consolidate Ukraine's battlefield successes and increase pressure on the Kremlin. At the same time, he again appealed to the United States to grant permission for the production of Patriot missiles in Ukraine, ensure the supply of PAC-3 interceptor missiles, and maintain access to the Starlink satellite system to support long-range operations.
According to Senator John Boozman, it was the recent successes of the Ukrainian military that changed the attitude of many American politicians.
The reason for the change in mood was Ukraine's successes on the battlefield
Senator Jim Risch, after meeting with Zelenskyy and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, stated that the sanctions bill could have an even greater impact on ending the war than the fighting itself.
Both believe that this bill could be just as effective or even more effective in ending the war than events on the battlefield
At the same time, Politico notes that final passage of the bill is not yet guaranteed. The document must pass the Senate and the House of Representatives, and President Donald Trump will have broad authority over the implementation of the economic sanctions it provides. Despite this, the publication's interlocutors note that recent events, including Zelenskyy's visit to Washington and changes on the front lines, have significantly strengthened support for Ukraine among American lawmakers.