Headlines
US senators back Ukraine ahead of major Trump speech, text shows
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 24, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 24, 2026
Quick Summary
Bipartisan U.S. senators led by Shaheen and Tillis will introduce a resolution backing Ukraine hours before Trump’s Feb. 24, 2026 State of the Union, urging unity and a sovereignty-respecting peace.
Bipartisan Senators Back Ukraine Ahead of Major Trump Address
Bipartisan Senate Resolution Backing Ukraine
By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - A group of Democratic and Republican U.S. senators will introduce a resolution on Tuesday supporting Ukraine as it battles Russian invaders, hours before President Donald Trump was due to make his nationally televised State of the Union address to the nation.
Lead Sponsors and NATO Observer Group
The resolution was led by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Thom Tillis, who are co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group. It had at least 26 other co-sponsors, about evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, according to an early copy of the resolution seen by Reuters.
Negotiated Settlement Terms
NATO Cooperation Call
Condolences and Commendations
Key Elements of the Resolution
Other provisions include condolences for the loss of Ukrainian lives, commendation of Ukrainians' bravery, encouragement of strong cooperation among NATO allies and a call for any negotiated settlement to respect Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and "include Ukraine as the central party to discussions regarding its future."
Nonbinding but Symbolic
The resolution comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government faces mounting U.S. pressure to secure a peace deal. Although it does not have the force of law, it illustrates the strong support for the government in Kyiv from many in Washington, and its release on Tuesday sends a signal that lawmakers want more support for Ukraine from Trump.
Timing: War Anniversary and Trump Speech
Trump's Tuesday night speech coincides with the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a reminder of a conflict that the Republican president has yet to end despite his past vow that he could stop it "in 24 hours."
Calls for Financial and Military Aid
Members of Congress, including some of Trump's fellow Republicans as well as Democrats, have urged him to do more to help Zelenskiy's government, including sending all of the financial and military aid they have authorized over the past several years.
Democratic Co-Sponsors
Tuesday's resolution was co-sponsored by Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Democratic Senators Michael Bennet, Richard Durbin, Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse and Tim Kaine.
Republican Co-Sponsors
Republican co-sponsors include former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Tillis, John Curtis, Chuck Grassley, Roger Wicker, Jerry Moran, Dave McCormick and Susan Collins.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Don Durfee, Rod Nickel)
Key Takeaways
- •Shaheen and Tillis lead a bipartisan Senate resolution backing Ukraine ahead of Trump’s State of the Union on Feb. 24, 2026.
- •The text urges NATO unity, honors Ukrainians’ bravery, and insists any peace deal respect Ukraine’s sovereignty with Kyiv central to talks.
- •At least 26 co-sponsors span both parties, including Republicans McConnell, Wicker, Grassley, Collins and Democrats Bennet, Durbin, Blumenthal, Whitehouse, Kaine.
- •Though nonbinding, the resolution signals congressional pressure for stronger U.S. support to Kyiv.
- •Timing aligns with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Frequently Asked Questions about US senators back Ukraine ahead of major Trump speech, text shows
1What is the main topic?
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators plans to introduce a nonbinding resolution supporting Ukraine, timed hours before President Donald Trump’s Feb. 24, 2026 State of the Union address.
2Another relevant question?
Who is leading the effort and how broad is support? Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis lead the measure with at least 26 co-sponsors, roughly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.
3Third question about the topic?
What does the resolution call for? It honors Ukrainian sacrifice, urges NATO unity, and insists any negotiated settlement respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and include Ukraine as the central party.
