Sanctioned Russian Lawmakers Tour U.S. Capitol, Sparking Outrage

Democratic and Republican lawmakers demand answers on how the visit was approved

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:54pm

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A group of sanctioned Russian lawmakers, including members of the State Duma, visited the U.S. Capitol this week, organized by Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. Democratic and one Republican colleague have now demanded answers from the State and Treasury Departments on how the visit was approved, given the sanctions on these Russian officials.

Why it matters

The visit by sanctioned Russian lawmakers risks undermining U.S. efforts to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its invasion. It also raises questions about the credibility and consistent application of U.S. sanctions policy.

The details

The Russian delegation was led by Vyacheslav Alekseyevich Nikonov, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Duma. Other members included Boris Aleksandrovich Chernyshov, Mikhail Gennadyevich Delyagin, Vladimir Pavlovich Isakov, and Svetlana Sergeyevna Zhurova - all of whom are subject to sanctions from the EU, UK, Japan, and Australia. The lawmakers met with some members of Congress and other officials during their visit.

  • The Russian lawmakers visited the U.S. Capitol this week.
  • On Friday, Democratic and Republican lawmakers sent a letter demanding answers about the visit.

The players

Marco Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State.

Scott Bessent

U.S. Treasury Secretary.

Anna Paulina Luna

Republican Congresswoman from Florida who organized the Russian lawmakers' visit to the U.S. Capitol.

Vyacheslav Alekseyevich Nikonov

Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Russian State Duma, leading the delegation of sanctioned Russian lawmakers.

Boris Aleksandrovich Chernyshov

Deputy chair of the Russian State Duma, part of the sanctioned delegation.

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What they’re saying

“Because these individuals are subject to U.S. sanctions imposed in response to Russia's full-scale, unjustified invasion of Ukraine, their entry into the United States would have required the issuance of sanctions waivers.”

— House Democrats and Republican Colleague, Letter to State and Treasury Departments

“We are pushing for an ending to the war in Ukraine. We want to make sure that there's support from Congress in those peace talks as well as the president's perspective on everything.”

— Anna Paulina Luna, Republican Congresswoman

“They're just people, I mean they're diplomats, one guy I guarantee he used to be a KGB agent — that's a very good, educated guess. But pleasant enough.”

— Derrick Van Orden, Republican Congressman

What’s next

The State and Treasury Departments have been asked to provide a full accounting of how and why the sanctions waivers were approved to allow the Russian lawmakers into the U.S.

The takeaway

This visit by sanctioned Russian officials raises serious concerns about the credibility and consistent application of U.S. sanctions policy, especially amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. It also highlights the political divisions within Congress over engagement with Russia.