Air defense, sanctions and energy: a meeting with advisers of US congressmen and senators took place in the Office of the President

It was attended by: National Security Adviser to Senator Ruben Gallego, Directors and Legislative Assistants to Congress Representatives Pat Harrigan, Michael Guest and Senator Chris Murphy, Deputy Chairman of the Senate Ukrainian Caucus, Chiefs of Staff to Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Yang Kim, Chrissy Gulahan, as well as representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Washington. Among the main topics is the strengthening of air defense.

Ihor Brusylo thanked for another allocation of 400 million dollars for Ukraine in the US defense budget for 2026. During the meeting, it was discussed the possibility of using these funds for the purchase of missiles for Patriot systems, as well as the potential localization of the production of missiles for air defense in Ukraine.

Separately, they discussed the support of Ukrainian energy stability against the background of constant Russian attacks and the use of American technologies in the process of preparing the Ukrainian energy system for next winter. Special attention was paid to the continuation of pressure on Russia thanks to sanctions against the shadow fleet, banking institutions, crypto- and nuclear sectors.

Ihor Brusylo emphasized: Ukraine is expecting the adoption of the sanctions bill in the near future, which can become one of the important instruments of influence on Russia. In addition, the issue of the possible transfer of Tomahawks to Ukraine remains relevant in the Armed Forces and Appropriations Committees, because this is also a real deterrent to Russia.

"We also appreciate the work on the draft law on the implementation of the law "Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity (REPO) for Ukrainians Act". Frozen Russian assets, no matter where they are in the world, should work to restore Ukraine, to overcome the damage caused by the war," he emphasized. The REPO Act, which was initiated by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and a bipartisan group of his colleagues, took effect in April 2024.

It obliges the US Treasury Department to identify nearly $5 billion in frozen Russian assets in the US, authorizes their confiscation, and creates the Ukraine Support Fund. In September 2025, several senators, including Sheldon Whitehouse, Jim Risch, and Lindsey Graham, introduced the REPO Implementation Act to expedite the transfer of funds and encourage allies to do the same.

The parties also talked about the course of negotiations to achieve a decent peace, security guarantees for Ukraine, and the participation of the United States in the reconstruction of Ukraine. Representatives of the delegation noted that they will work to attract American companies, primarily energy companies, to participate in the International Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine, which will be held in Poland this year.