Senators Host Ukrainian Prime Minister Amid Ongoing War

Bipartisan group discusses continued U.S. support and need for peace talks as Russia's assault on Ukraine enters fifth year.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:30pm

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A solitary Ukrainian flag hanging on a government building, the fabric illuminated by warm, diagonal sunlight and cast in deep shadows, capturing a sense of quiet resilience and unresolved tension.The Ukrainian flag stands as a somber symbol of the nation's ongoing struggle against Russian aggression, as diplomatic efforts continue to seek an end to the devastating conflict.Washington Today

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, including Dick Durbin, Roger Wicker, and Jeanne Shaheen, hosted Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko in Washington to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The meeting came after one of Russia's deadliest attacks on Ukraine this year, which killed 18 people, including a child. The Senators reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for renewed efforts at peace talks to end the conflict.

Why it matters

The meeting between the Senators and the Ukrainian Prime Minister underscores the continued bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for Ukraine as it battles the Russian invasion, now in its fifth year. It also highlights the urgency of the situation, with Russia's attacks on civilians escalating, and the need for diplomatic solutions to bring an end to the conflict.

The details

During the meeting, the Senators and Prime Minister Svyrydenko discussed the importance of continued U.S. and allied military and economic support for Ukraine, as well as the need for renewed efforts at peace talks to resolve the conflict. This comes after one of Russia's deadliest attacks on Ukraine this year, which killed 18 people, including a 12-year-old child, and injured more than 100.

  • The meeting took place on April 19, 2026.
  • Russia's war on Ukraine has been ongoing for nearly 5 years.

The players

Dick Durbin

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus.

Roger Wicker

U.S. Senator and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus.

Jeanne Shaheen

U.S. Senator and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Yuliia Svyrydenko

Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin

President of the Russian Federation, whose military invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing for nearly 5 years.

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What they’re saying

“Last night, Ukraine saw again that Vladimir Putin's evil knows no bounds as he directed the deadliest attack Ukraine has seen this year, claiming the life of nearly 20 people, including an innocent 12-year-old boy. Today, I told Prime Minister Svyrydenko that I stand with Ukraine and Congress must show its support for our Ukrainian ally. It's time for President Trump to tell his friend Putin that enough is enough.”

— Dick Durbin, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip

“I greatly appreciate Prime Minister Svyrydenko providing an update on her country's efforts to defend their homeland. It is clear that Putin's military failures and recklessness in this unprovoked war have been met with resolve and innovation from the Ukrainian people. The United States must remain firm in our support for the freedom-loving people of Ukraine. We can and should continue to provide military aid to Ukraine and impose increased sanctions on Russia.”

— Roger Wicker, U.S. Senator

“It was an honor to meet with Prime Minister Svyrydenko, and I'm glad to see the strong bipartisan show of support for Ukraine at this meeting today. This meeting unfortunately comes in the wake of Russia's most brutal attack on Ukrainian civilians so far this year last night and the urgency of this moment for the people of Ukraine is clear. Now is the time for the Trump Administration to place further pressure on Putin to end this conflict.”

— Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The Senators called for the Trump Administration to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine. They also expressed the need for renewed diplomatic efforts and peace talks to resolve the crisis.

The takeaway

This bipartisan meeting between U.S. Senators and the Ukrainian Prime Minister demonstrates the continued strong support in Congress for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity amid Russia's ongoing invasion. The Senators' calls for more U.S. pressure on Russia and renewed peace talks underscore the urgency of finding a diplomatic solution to end the devastating conflict.