Zelensky Urges Trump to Use Graham Sanctions Against Russia, Says He’s Ready to Meet Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on President Trump Tuesday to fully use the sweeping Russia sanctions law he recently signed, arguing that increased economic pressure on Moscow could help bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Zelensky made the appeal while in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where he met with Trump to discuss efforts to end the more than four-year war. The Ukrainian leader said he remains prepared to meet directly with Putin if such a meeting could produce progress toward peace.
The legislation, officially named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was signed into law by President Trump on Friday. It targets Russia’s energy and defense industries, along with the so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to circumvent existing sanctions.
The law also gives President Trump authority to impose tariffs on major countries purchasing Russian oil and natural gas. Supporters of the measure argue that targeting Russia’s energy customers could reduce the revenue Moscow uses to finance its military operations in Ukraine.
Zelensky has repeatedly praised the legislation, which was championed by the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. After Trump signed it, Zelensky called for its provisions to be implemented quickly and argued that maintaining economic pressure on Russia could strengthen diplomatic efforts.
The Kremlin has taken the opposite position. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said additional American sanctions would complicate efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict and described the legislation as an unfriendly action against Russia.
Zelensky’s latest comments come as the Trump administration attempts to revive negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. Trump sent envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to both capitals earlier this month, and Zelensky subsequently said there was new “diplomatic momentum” surrounding efforts to reach an agreement.
Energy infrastructure has emerged as a major focus of the negotiations. Ukraine has intensified drone attacks against Russian oil facilities, while Russia has continued striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Zelensky has proposed an arrangement under which attacks on energy facilities and other critical infrastructure would stop on both sides.
Trump has also expressed concern about the growing damage to Russia’s oil industry and the effect that disruptions from both the Ukraine and Iran conflicts are having on global energy markets. French President Emmanuel Macron said he discussed possible Ukraine-Russia energy-truce proposals with Trump during meetings surrounding the UN gathering.
Zelensky says Ukraine is prepared for direct diplomacy with Putin while simultaneously seeking stronger economic pressure on Moscow. Whether those two approaches produce a breakthrough remains unresolved, with Russia publicly warning that additional U.S. sanctions could make negotiations more difficult.