Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky with US senators, Washington, D.C., July 28, 2026

Tuesday’s Coverage: Zelensky in UK and Washington

UPDATE 0720 GMT:

Sources in Iran and the West say Tehran considered an attack on Ukraine, in response to a Ukrainian drone strike on an Iranian cargo ship in the Caspian Sea which killed a crew member.

Officials said Iran planned a symbolic missile strike on a Ukrainian seaport on the Black Sea. The plan was set aside for diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Kyiv involving the European Union.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Ukraine counterpart Andrii Sybiha spoke by phone on Tuesday.

Both men said after the “frank” and “direct” conversation that the “goal is to avoid unnecessary escalation”.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: The US Senate has advanced a bill to impose 100% tariffs on the top five countries purchasing oil and gas from Russia.

The 86-12 vote was spurred by the death on July 11 of Sen. Lindsey Graham, who had led the long-time campaign for the measure. His funeral was held in Washington earlier in the day, with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in attendance.

Zelensky was present for the vote after he and Finnish President met more than 60 of the legislators. He told journalists:

This bill is very important. Sanctions against Russia are very important.

It’s not only about money that helps Russia wage its war, but it’s also a big signal to Europe, Ukraine, and our people, so I’m very thankful.

The bill must clear a series of additional procedural votes before final passage in the Senate. It would then go to the House of Representatives for confirmation.

The initial version of the bill, circulated last year, proposed 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products. Trump reportedly opposed the measure, delaying its submission to the Senate.

The amended legislation was established in negotiations between Graham and the White House, which insisted on the inclusion of sanctions against Iran. The Senator said shortly before his death that he had secured the Administration’s support.

The bill also applies 100% tariffs to the top five countries that facilitate Russia’s evasion of sanction on its oil eports.

China, India, and Turkey are the world’s leading buyers of Russian oil. The European Union, China, and Turkey are the leaders in natural gas purchases.

In the morning, Zelensky met Trump for an hour in the White House. He posted afterwards:

The President and I discussed licenses for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help. We also spoke about diplomacy – it’s important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated. Our teams will arrange the details of their further communication.

Zelensky also conferred with representatives of the defense company Lockheed Martin, one of the two manufacturers of the Patriot air defense systems.