The Ukrainian delegation also held discussions in Washington on continuing military aid to Ukraine as it defends itself from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s all-out invasion, Yermak said.
“There is a shared understanding on this issue; we need to keep working,” Yermak said. “President Zelenskyy clearly outlined our position: Under the signed agreement on economic cooperation, we are also ready to buy some of the equipment, especially missile defense systems, etc.,” Yermak said.
The Ukrainian visit came as U.S. lawmakers are weighing sweeping sanctions measures aimed at Russia and its biggest energy customers. The delegation met with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal, who are pushing for a bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate that would impose steep tariffs on countries that buy Russian energy resources.
“We hope this new sanctions package will be adopted,” Yermak said. “But even the process that should begin in the Senate next week will be a very important signal — because everyone understands what it’s about. It’s quite clearly about reducing Russia’s revenues from energy exports, primarily oil,” he said.
Russia hit Ukraine’s eastern city of Kharkiv on Saturday with a large barrage of drones and missiles, killing at least three people and wounding 21 others, local officials said.
The assault early Saturday — the latest in near daily widescale attacks by Moscow — included glide bombs that have become part of a fierce Russian onslaught in the all-out war, which began in February 2022, the Associated Press reported.
