According to a report by the U.S. publication *Politico*, Republican Senator James Lankford admitted during his visit to Kyiv that he could not assure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the U.S. Congress would soon approve the long-awaited new round of sanctions against Russia. Zelensky, meanwhile, urged for expedited deliberation. Lankford also expressed skepticism about the possibility of an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv but noted that the recent secret visit to Russia by CIA Director John Ratcliffe might prove fruitful. Previously, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill drafted with the involvement of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The proposal stipulates a 100% tariff on the five largest buyers of Russian energy and a 500% tariff on all Russian goods exported to the U.S. The bill was subsequently sent to the House of Representatives; however, as the House is in recess until August 31, deliberations will not begin until September.