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U.S. Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham has more than 30 years of military experience and holds the rank of colonel. This is his fourth visit to Ukraine during a full-scale war and comes at a critical moment after five months of congressional delays in approving aid to Ukraine.
Graham has supported Ukraine since the beginning of the great war, calls for the destruction of the Crimean Bridge and recognizes Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. even Russian security forces put them on the wanted list for calling on Russians to “get rid of Putin.”
But Graham also supported the candidacy of former US President Donald Trump in the 2024 elections. And in February, he voted against the Senate bill to help Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan because it did not address the migration crisis on the border with Mexico. Recently, he has advocated providing credit assistance to Kyiv.
What positions does the Republican senator stand for and why should you know about it?
Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Ukraine Robert Needham (left) and US Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham (right) on the station platform in Kyiv, March 18, 2024. Photo: US Embassy in Ukraine
Ukraine and US support
About assistance to Ukraine on credit
I told the president [Зеленскому], which is completely in favor of helping Ukraine. But we must do this in the form of a loan without interest, if necessary, to all our allies. This will be a new method. I think he will get a lot of public support in the US.
Trump’s idea of turning the aid into an interest-free loan makes a lot of sense. Hopefully it comes out of the House as a package of legislation in the next few days, not weeks.
I spoke to the speaker [Палаты представителей Майком Джонсоном] before coming to Kyiv. He is trying to find a way to help Ukraine. I think the idea of a loan will be quite popular not only among Republicans, but also among Democrats.
Israel also needs help. I don’t know whether this package will be split or accepted as a whole. But I’m more optimistic than ever.
If you want to help Ukraine, you better start talking to American taxpayers. We have $34 trillion in debt. Can we provide a loan that can be repaid without interest? Can Ukraine cover it? I think President Zelensky would like to get weapons in any way that we could provide.
The fact that Trump supports extending military aid to Ukraine in the form of an interest-free loan is a step forward. I want the Russians not only to see that help will arrive this spring. But also that we have developed a model that will make it more sustainable.
About the border and why the Senate did not vote for the package with assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
He did what he thought was best for America. And this is to help Ukraine, but also to help your country. Our border has been breached. Over the past three to four years, up to 10 million people have crossed it.
It’s difficult for me to talk about Ukraine if I don’t talk about the border. I want to tell the Ukrainians: I want to be with you, but please understand that America also has its own needs.
When I go to South Carolina, people say, “Do you want to help Ukraine? What about our own border? We, as political leaders, must also engage with our people.
Can we solve the problem? [границы] before the elections? I doubt it, but we have to try. I hope the House finds a way forward on two issues: border security and aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
Will there be support for Ukraine if Trump and the Republicans win?
I think yes. 70% of Senate Republicans understand the need for assistance to Ukraine. There will be a war between NATO and Russia if the latter is not stopped in Ukraine. I think most House Republicans feel the same way.
Regardless of who wins the US elections in 2024, we will continue to support Ukraine.
About expectations in the war in 2024
I hope in 2024 America will send Ukraine the weapons you desperately need in a sustainable way. Pay us, if you can, later.
I hope you will begin not only to hold territory, but also begin to put pressure on the Russians in 2024. That you will receive ATACMS to destroy this damned Crimean bridge. I want 2024 to be the year of a qualitative advantage for the Ukrainian army.
You are the most inventive people I have ever met. You don’t have enough shells, we’ll get them for you. But the drones you develop could replace artillery in future wars.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and US Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham in Kyiv, March 18, 2024. Photo: US Embassy in Ukraine
Homework for Ukraine
About economic potential
Ukraine is a very blessed nation. You have smart, energetic and creative people. And sitting on $3.5-12 trillion in critical minerals that could be used for a new economy. In particular, for the production of batteries.
There are some of the largest gas deposits in Europe. The Russians have occupied some of your gas fields. My goal is not only to free Ukraine from Russians. But also make sure you can use your resources.
About elections in Ukraine
Everyone I spoke to said that in order to hold elections in Ukraine, a different war situation is needed. It makes sense to me because I was there at the scene.
About mobilization
Ukraine must implement mobilization reform as quickly as possible. Before leaving for Ukraine, I spoke with an adviser [президента США] on National Security by Jake Sullivan. I asked him how I could help. “Raise the issue of the law on mobilization. We need more people in the ranks,” he replied.
I know it’s hard. Your people have been fighting since day one. My father served in the Air Force during World War II. It was a long time. But you need to replace some people who have been at the front for a long time. I hope there will be movement on the mobilization law soon. Both in summer and autumn you will have more troops.
You are fighting for your life. You don’t have to serve until you’re 25 or 27 years old.
Ukraine must fight, no matter what the United States does
I told President Zelensky: I don’t think I’ve met anyone on the planet that I admire more than the Ukrainians. You were pressed against the wall. Everyone thought you would lose. But you won thanks to your determination.
You must show the Russians: regardless of the actions of the United States, we will fight you to the last man. We [американцы] this was done when they tried to gain our freedom. Keep the spirit that I saw at the beginning of the war for as long as it takes.
Joining NATO and confiscation of Russian assets
About NATO
I support Ukraine’s accession to NATO and your membership in the EU. I appreciate our NATO allies, but none of them can fight like Ukraine. If I had to pick a group of people I wanted to fight alongside, you would be at the top of the damn list.
If you were looking for a battle-tested group of people who will fight for their values, be creative on the battlefield, highly adaptive, able to take what you give them and use it beyond your expectations, you would choose Ukraine.
It is not NATO that will do you the favor. You will be providing a service to NATO.
About security guarantees
Until we accept Ukraine into NATO or put it on the path to the Alliance, there is no reason why the United States and other large states cannot provide you with security guarantees. Beneficial for you and for us.
It will be on the table when Mr. Sullivan arrives. I am a Republican who supports this concept. I urge the Biden administration to negotiate and sign security guarantees with Ukraine in 2024.
About Russian assets
$380 billion of Russian sovereign assets are frozen. $200 billion of this is in Belgium. We must get this money to help Ukraine and help ourselves.
About Putin’s elections and recognition of the Russian Federation as a terrorist country
The elections of Vladimir Putin are not legitimate. He heads a terrorist state. When I return to Washington, I will promote legislation to that effect.
87% [голосов за Путина] – this is an astonishing figure that you simply cannot believe. This election was fraudulent. Putin is a global criminal, not a legitimate leader on the world stage. I urge the Biden administration to support the designation of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Sanctions against the Russian Federation are not working properly. The Russian economy is too strong. We need to redouble our efforts. Including Russia on the list of state sponsors of terrorism will make secondary sanctions more meaningful. India, China and others do business with Russia at their own risk.
As long as I breathe, I will seek to hold Putin accountable for what he did to the Ukrainian people. And for what he did to the whole world for more than 20 years, including Russia.
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