Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, on Friday thanked Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, for signing a law that expands sanctions against Russia following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Law Passed in Congress
The law was signed by Trump on Friday and became law after it was passed with strong bipartisan support in the House of Representatives and the Senate. According to a statement released by the White House, the law "authorizes and expands sanctions, tariffs, and legal prohibitions against Russia and also extends existing sanctions against Iran."
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Zelensky's Reaction and Reminder of Graham
Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Trump for signing this law, which he described as "a very important law," and thanked "all the senators and representatives who supported it." He also remembered the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, stating, "Graham always emphasized the importance of pressuring Russia, strengthening sanctions, and seeking a path to peace in Ukraine."
Zelensky also stated, "The best way to honor Graham's memory is to fully and swiftly implement the provisions of this law. And the best reward for all those who help us pressure Russia to end the war will be peace."
Contents of the Sanctions and Russia's Reactions
This law allows the President to impose sanctions and limits its scope to the five largest countries importing oil and gas from Russia and the top five countries that help evade Russian energy sanctions. It also includes a clause to prevent the weakening of sanctions against Iran's energy and arms sectors.
Russian officials reacted to this new law, with Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, stating, "Any additional sanctions from the United States will certainly complicate efforts to find a peaceful agreement in Ukraine." Dmitry Medvedev, the former President and Prime Minister of Russia, described this law as an example of "anti-Russian actions."
The Senate passed this bill last month with strong bipartisan support, voting 86 to 11.
