Russian lawmakers traveled to the United States for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, according to a report by The New York Times published March 26, 2026. The visit required the State Department to lift existing sanctions on the Russian legislators, who were invited by a member of Congress described as Kremlin-friendly. The development marks a significant diplomatic shift, signaling a potential thaw in relations between Washington and Moscow amid ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. The decision to waive sanctions to facilitate the visit drew scrutiny from critics concerned about the optics of welcoming sanctioned Russian officials to American soil while Ukraine continues to suffer the effects of the Russian military campaign. The State Department's action underscores the broader tension within U.S. policy between pursuing diplomatic engagement and maintaining punitive measures designed to pressure the Kremlin. Details regarding which specific lawmakers visited, which member of Congress extended the invitation, and the precise nature of the discussions held were not fully disclosed in available reporting. The visit nonetheless represents one of the most notable instances of direct legislative-level contact between the two countries since February 2022. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/world/europe/russia-us-talks-ukraine-sanctions.html