If the Trump administration does not resume sharing military aid and intelligence news with Eastern European countries, Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday warned of potentially disastrous consequences for Ukraine.
“As long as there’s fighting going on, pulling the plug in Ukrainian would be worse than Afghanistan,” Graham said in an interview with Fox News Sunday.
“We will give Ukraine what it takes in terms of intelligence and weapons to protect ourselves until a ceasefire occurs,” Graham added. “As for Russia, we will introduce sanctions on their banking and energy sectors next week, urging them to reach the table. If they are not engaged in a ceasefire, we should sanction hell from them if peace negotiations with the regime are not underway.”
His comments come days after the Trump administration suspended military aid and sharing intelligence news with Ukraine. This marks the third anniversary of Russian invasion across Ukraine’s eastern border.
Ukraine’s US support came to a sudden pause last week after tensions occurred during an oval office meeting left to screaming at President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Voldy Me Zelenkie. With fallout from that conference, Russia began to increase the barrage of attacks against Ukraine.
Zelenskyy had visited the White House to sign an agreement granting US ownership to certain Ukraine minerals. However, after the Ukrainian president insisted on a security guarantee, Zelensky left the White House without a contract, and Trump and Vance accused him of not fully grateful for the US’s continued support.
“We are trying to consolidate the economy. We are trying to make sure Ukraine has value in the American economy. This is a favorable situation for both parties,” said Graham, who had called on Zelenskyy to step down after an oval office meeting.
US and Ukrainian officials are preparing to hold a conference in Saudi Arabia this week, working towards a potential mineral trade and a ceasefire agreement with Russia. But Trump has informed his domestic allies that he wants more than a mineral trade from Ukraine in exchange for resuming aid and sharing intelligence.
Trump asked about the mineral trade in Ukraine in another interview with Fox News on Sunday Morning Futures. I think that will happen. ”
Trump also told Baltiromo in response to criticism that he was not harsh on Russia.
In a post on X Saturday, Zelenskyy appointed a delegation to attend a conference in Saudi Arabia, saying Ukraine is “fully committed to constructive dialogue.”
“Ukraine has been seeking peace since the first seconds of this war. There are realistic suggestions on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively,” writes Zelenskyy.
In the weeks leading up to the oval office meeting with Zelensky, Trump and the Ukrainian president exchanged barbs from afar, calling Zelensky “dictator,” at one point implying that Ukraine is responsible for starting a war rather than Russia.
Contributors were Courtney Cube, Kristen Welker, Carol E. Lee and Raquel Coronel Uribe.
