Zelensky Visits Washington for Sen. Graham's Funeral, Watches Senate Advance Russia Sanctions Bill

President Zelensky traveled to Washington to attend the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who died suddenly on July 11 — a day after announcing he had reached agreement with the White House on a sweeping Russia sanctions bill, and shortly after returning from a trip to Kyiv. After the service, Zelensky met with senators from both parties at the Capitol, then watched from the Senate gallery as lawmakers voted 86–12 to advance the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which would authorize tariffs of up to 200% on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas and expand sanctions on Russian financial institutions, oligarchs, and the 'shadow fleet.' Zelensky waved to senators in support of the vote.