ODESA, UKRAINE – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) travelled to Odesa, Ukraine where they reiterated the ironclad, bipartisan support for Ukraine in the U.S. Congress and among the American people. Throughout the visit, Senator Shaheen and her colleagues commended the Ukrainian people for their immense bravery and resolve in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, which dramatically escalated with Putin’s full-scale invasion in 2022. This marks the first visit by a Senate delegation to Odesa since the expansion of the conflict in 2022.
Photos of their delegation can be found here.
Senator Shaheen and members of the delegation stressed the urgent need for Congress to place punishing sanctions on Russia and provide additional support for Ukraine to finally force Putin to the negotiating table. Delegation members underscored that the Kremlin continues to play for time as Russian attacks continue to inflict devastating harm on civilians and critical infrastructure, and that the Trump Administration must finally exert real pressure on Putin to secure a lasting and just peace for Ukraine. Senator Shaheen has advanced multiple bipartisan bills to sanction Russia through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in recent months, including the STOP Russia and China Act and the SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act.
During the visit, the delegation met with Ukrainian government and military officials, Ukrainian border guard personnel, port and maritime security leaders in the Odesa region, American agriculture and logistics companies operating in Ukraine and local faith, civic and private-sector leaders. The Senators also received on-site briefings from Ukrainian and U.S. officials on air defense capabilities protecting Black Sea ports, the impact of Russian drone and missile strikes on critical infrastructure and ongoing maritime security challenges.
“Nearly four years since Putin’s full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian people continue to stand strong against unending waves of brutal Russian attacks on innocent civilians. It was my honor to lead this delegation and to meet with Ukrainians from all walks of life who are standing bravely on the frontlines of freedom,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “Their message, and ours, is clear: The path to peace requires sustained pressure on Vladimir Putin—not pressure on Ukraine to concede its sovereignty. Every day that the Trump Administration fails to act to meaningfully bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, more innocent Ukrainians will die needlessly. It is long past due for President Trump to tighten sanctions on Russia, provide security assistance for Ukraine and to exert real pressure on Russia. Until President Trump finally gets tough, Putin will continue to string him along. If the President refuses to act, Congress must. My bipartisan legislation to crack down on Russia’s shadow fleet and its Chinese enablers has already cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with wide support. This legislation is ready to move to the Senate floor the moment we return next week and would pass with overwhelming bipartisan backing. Doing so would send an unmistakable message to Putin that time is not on his side.”
“It was an honor to meet the heroic Ukrainians fighting for their freedom on the frontlines and defending themselves in the Black Sea,” said Senator Whitehouse. “I strongly support the bipartisan consensus emerging that the U.S. and the world must crack down on the shadow fleet of oil and gas tankers servicing the Russian oil economy. Disrupting the shadow fleet will put immense pressure on Vladimir Putin and his corrupt oligarchs and boost Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table.”
“For nearly four years, brave Ukrainian soldiers have fought and died on the global front line of freedom in the face of Putin’s brutal war of aggression,” said Senator Coons. “They have been supported not just by the United States, but by our partners and allies in Europe and around the world. The Ukrainian people deserve our support for a just and lasting peace that will ensure their sovereignty and security, not a temporary deal that will allow Russia to rearm and come back for Kyiv a few years down the road. I’m proud to travel with my colleagues this week to thank the Ukrainian people for standing up for democracy and to pledge our continued support in Congress for robust intelligence, military, and financial support to their cause.”
“In Kyiv and now Odesa, I am so deeply moved to witness the unspeakable death and destruction wrought by Russia met with unstoppable Ukrainian grit and grace,” said Senator Blumenthal. “America should match their courage with ours—weapons not just words, sledgehammer economic pressure, like my Russia sanctions measure. They’re asking for ammunition, not applause. Putin is a monster thug who only understands strength—and continues to play America, even in the most recent talks in Geneva. I’ve been shocked to learn that Putin is purposely targeting American businesses—bombing more than half of the 600 with operations here. It’s open season on American plants and offices in Ukraine. This trip convinces me that redoubled U.S. support – more than rhetoric – is essential to Ukraine’s battlefield strength and peace. The false narrative that Russia is winning must be dispelled. Ukraine’s fight is our fight. They can win it.”
###