On February 18, a delegation of U.S. Senators — Senator Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island), Senator Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), and Senator Chris Coons (Delaware) — visited Odesa to see firsthand the consequences of Russia’s terror. It is especially symbolic that this visit comes on the eve of February 24 — the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

During the visit, the delegation held meetings with Ukrainian government and military officials, border guard personnel, and port and maritime security leaders in the Odesa region, as well as representatives of American agriculture and logistics companies operating in Ukraine and local faith, civic, and private-sector leaders.

The senators saw damaged civilian infrastructure and businesses — including American companies targeted by Russian attacks. At the same time, they saw an Odesa that stands strong: a city that continues to live and work despite constant strikes.

Visits like this make clear how urgent it is to increase pressure on the aggressor to compel it toward peace. A bipartisan sanctions bill is currently under consideration in Congress. Stronger sanctions constrain the resources sustaining Russia’s war and reinforce serious diplomatic efforts to bring it to an end.