Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk met with a delegation of the American Foreign Policy Council, headed by its President Herman Pirchner.
The delegation included key advisors and analysts of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee representing both the Republican and Democratic parties.
The Deputy Speaker expressed gratitude to the United States for the assistance provided since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, and to the U.S. Congress for its bipartisan and bicameral support of Ukraine.
«We hope that the new U.S. Administration will respond positively to Ukraine’s proposal to purchase American weapons — in particular, air defense systems that are critically needed by our country. This is not merely a military issue, but a humanitarian one — to save lives, protect children, and ensure Ukraine’s survival,» noted Olena Kondratiuk.
She emphasized that russia understands only the language of force, and only by force can it be compelled to an unconditional ceasefire and fair peace negotiations.
«We count on America's leadership and the strong stance of the U.S. Congress in increasing sanctions pressure on the russian federation. We hope that the U.S. Congress will adopt the «russia Sanctions Act 2025» in the near future,» emphasised Olena Kondratiuk.
She emphasized that dozens of members of Congress and Senators — both Democrats and Republicans — have united around this bill. Olena Kondratiuk expressed her gratitude for «a critically important initiative that includes devastating sanctions against the russian federation and will bring Ukraine closer to a just peace.»
During the meeting, the Deputy Speaker also thanked Congressmen Gregory Meeks and Michael McCaul, as well as Senators Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar, for introducing a resolution in the U.S. Congress demanding that russia immediately return all Ukrainian children — even before any peace agreement is signed.
«This is a matter of principle. It is a sensitive issue that unites members of Congress and Senators from both parties,» emphasized Olena Kondratiuk.
The Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada also called on U.S. colleagues to unify the sanctions lists of Ukraine and the United States with regard to individuals and legal entities responsible for the abduction, deportation, militarization, and forced identity change of Ukrainian children.
«This is about justice and accountability. Because 1.6 million of our children living in temporarily occupied territories remain under constant threat of new crimes,» Olena Kondratiuk stressed.