Svi senatori pozvani na Zelenski sastanak dok Kongres razmatra ruske sankcije

All 100 members of the U.S. Senate have been invited to a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m., according to multiple sources confirming the arrangement to The Hill. The invitation follows reports from Punchbowl News earlier in the day. The meeting occurs amid ongoing legislative efforts in the Senate to pass a new bill targeting Russian entities and their allies with expanded sanctions in response to Moscow's ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Zelensky is currently in Washington for the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina who authored the proposed sanctions legislation and played a central role in rallying congressional support for Ukraine. Graham had recently met with Zelensky in Kyiv on July 10, just days before his death. His involvement in shaping the sanctions bill has made it a focal point of current discussions among lawmakers. The proposed legislation enjoys widespread bipartisan backing and is expected to be discussed during the meeting with Zelensky. According to sources, former President Donald Trump has endorsed the bill and urged its inclusion of additional measures targeting Iran and Hezbollah in the Middle East. These additions reflect broader concerns about regional security and the potential for further instability. Over the past several months, smaller groups of senators have regularly convened with Zelensky to discuss ways to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities and increase pressure on Russia through economic penalties. Notably, a large group of senators from both major political parties met with Zelensky in Munich in February, signaling growing unity around the need for stronger international responses to Russia's invasion. Previous visits by Zelensky to Washington have also included meetings with individual senators, underscoring the sustained diplomatic engagement between the two nations. In addition to the Senate meeting, Zelensky is set to hold a separate meeting with Trump later on Tuesday. The nature of this encounter has not been detailed, though it is understood to involve discussions related to U.S. policy toward Russia and other global issues. Trump's influence on the sanctions bill has already shaped certain aspects of its content, particularly regarding the expansion of sanctions beyond Europe. The timing of Zelensky's visit coincides with heightened scrutiny of the proposed sanctions package, which aims to isolate Russia economically while providing greater financial and military assistance to Ukraine. Lawmakers are weighing how best to structure the bill to ensure maximum impact without causing unintended consequences for U.S. interests or those of allied nations. Some senators have expressed concern over the potential effects of broadening sanctions to include non-European countries, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of all possible outcomes. As the Senate prepares to deliberate on the bill, the presence of Zelensky at the Capitol underscores the significance of the moment. His participation is expected to reinforce the urgency of passing the measure quickly, given the evolving situation on the battlefield and the need for consistent international support for Ukraine. The meeting will provide an opportunity for senators to hear directly from Zelensky about the immediate challenges facing his country and the importance of maintaining robust U.S. commitment.