Washington: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House in a high-stakes meeting that could coincide with the US Senate’s consideration of sweeping new sanctions targeting Russia and its key energy trade partners.
Zelenskyy, who is in Washington to attend the funeral of US Senator Lindsey Graham, is also scheduled to meet members of the Senate. The sanctions legislation, championed by the late Graham and pending for several months, could be brought to a vote on the same day.
I have already arrived in the United States. Our schedule includes meetings with President Trump, his team, and those who can support our defense. Our number-one priority is anti-ballistic defense and strategic cooperation with America. Peace needs to be brought closer.
Of… pic.twitter.com/jcsLCFetwk
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 28, 2026
If approved, the bill would significantly increase economic pressure on Moscow by imposing 100 percent tariffs on goods imported from the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. In a late amendment, President Trump proposed adding sanctions against Iran to the same legislation, a move Zelenskyy reportedly described as a great idea during a recent conversation with Trump ally Laura Loomer.
The proposed sanctions come as the conflicts involving Russia and Iran have become increasingly interconnected. Over the weekend, Ukraine reportedly targeted an Iranian tanker in the Caspian Sea. Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, claimed the vessel was transporting drones and military components from Iran to Russia. Iran has vowed to retaliate against the attack.
Analysts say Ukraine’s actions against Iranian assets align with US strategic interests, although Kyiv is expected to remain cautious about appearing too closely linked to Washington’s military confrontation with Iran.
Relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have improved considerably since their tense White House meeting in February 2025. Earlier this month, both leaders agreed to jointly produce Patriot air defence interceptor missiles, strengthening Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian missile and drone attacks. The two countries are also advancing discussions on joint drone manufacturing, an area where Ukraine has developed significant expertise during the war.
Ukraine is expected to produce between six and seven million short-range attack drones this year, highlighting its rapidly expanding defence manufacturing capabilities. Meanwhile, fighting continues across eastern Ukraine. Russian strikes killed seven people and injured more than 20 others, according to Ukrainian officials. In Russia’s Belgorod region, a Ukrainian drone attack struck a commercial building, leaving one person dead and two others injured.
The heaviest fighting remains concentrated around the Donetsk region, particularly near the towns of Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk, where both sides continue to battle for strategic positions.
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