US First Lady Jill Biden met with Ukrainian President’s wife Olena Zelenskaya on the day Washington announced new sanctions against Russia.

The first ladies met at a school in Uzhgorod.

This was the first public appearance of Olena Zelenskaya since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The meeting of the two first ladies took place at the school, which is currently used as a temporary shelter for internally displaced persons.

Jill Biden said she wanted to “show that the people of the United States stand by the people of Ukraine,” adding that the brutal war, now in its third month, must be stopped.

Olena Zelenska called the US First Lady’s visit to Ukraine during the war “a brave act.”

She added that the date of the visit – Mother’s Day, which is celebrated both in Ukraine and in the United States – was symbolic.

“We feel your love and support on such an important day,” Zelenskaya said.

The US announced new sanctions, including restrictions on issuing visas to 2,600 Russians and Belarusians.

Three Russian TV channels and Gazprombank executives also fell under Washington’s sanctions.

A senior US official said the new US sanctions would affect 27 Gazprombank executives. However, these measures do not freeze the bank’s assets or prohibit transactions with it.

It is also not yet clear who is on the list of 2,600 Russians and Belarusians who are subject to visa restrictions.

Meanwhile, G7 leaders have said they intend to phase out Russian oil and ban its imports.

The new sanctions were announced after a video conference between G7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In their statement, the leaders of the G7 countries condemned Russian President Putin, saying that “his actions dishonor Russia and the historical sacrifices of its people.”

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and Speaker of the German Bundestag also visited Ukraine.

Trudeau announced that Canada is sending new weapons and equipment to the Ukrainian army, as well as introducing a number of new sanctions against Russian individuals and companies.

“Putin needs to understand that the West is determined to oppose what it is doing,” Trudeau later told Reuters. “His illegal war, escalation, decision to cross red lines by continuing to invade Ukraine means that we will do our best for him to lose.”

The UK also announced a new £1.7bn package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus aimed at trade.

The EU has introduced a sixth package of sanctions against Russia but has so far been unable to agree on some measures, including a phased ban on Russian oil.

Diplomats said Hungary was still hindering progress in finalizing the new package of sanctions.

EU countries disagree on how soon they can get rid of dependence on Russian energy resources. Europe receives about 40% of its natural gas from Russia.

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