Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, on Sunday issued a warning about abandoning Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia, stating that it would be “worse than Afghanistan.”
Newsweek has reached out to Graham’s office via email for comment on Sunday.
Why It Matters
Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine just over three years ago, and the United States has, until now, strongly supported the Eastern European nation with billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid. However, President Donald Trump has long signaled that he may shift U.S. policy, criticizing Ukraine and speaking favorably of Russian President Vladimir Putin, upending U.S. foreign policy and raising alarms within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Graham, a longtime staunch supporter of Ukraine, has occasionally criticized some of Trump’s decisions but remains a close ally of the president.
What To Know
Following last month’s Oval Office spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance chastised him for allegedly not thanking the United States for aid, the U.S. has suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine, temporarily cutting off a critical flow of battlefield data that has helped Kyiv target Russian forces.
A senior administration official described the pause as part of a broader review of U.S.-Ukraine relations, with national security adviser Mike Waltz stating that the White House is reassessing “all aspects of this relationship.”
The halt in intelligence sharing follows Trump’s decision to pause military aid to Ukraine, which has sparked concerns among Kyiv’s Western allies. Intelligence from the U.S. and NATO has been instrumental in Ukraine’s defense efforts, providing real-time information on Russian troop movements, missile launches, and battlefield tactics.
In an interview on Fox News Sunday with Shannon Bream, Graham spoke about the pause on intelligence.
“The goal is to end the war honorably and justly. You know Zelensky blew it in the White House. We’ve been working on this minerals deal for a very long time, but we are where we are. Yeah, I am worried about cutting off intelligence and weapons to Ukraine as long as the fighting is going on. If we pull the plug on Ukraine it would be worse than Afghanistan. I don’t think President Trump has any desire to do that but until we have a ceasefire, I would give Ukraine what they need in terms of intelligence and weapons to defend themselves,” the senator said.
Graham’s remarks seemingly reference when the Biden administration withdrew U.S. forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, ending a 20-year military presence that began as part of the War on Terror following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. After the U.S. left, the Taliban quickly regained control, prompting tens of thousands of Afghans to flee, especially those who worked with the U.S. government and feared retaliation.
The withdrawal was negotiated in 2020 by Trump. However, former President Joe Biden was criticized for its execution.
The senator’s remarks on Sunday come as Trump pursues direct negotiations with Putin, raising questions about how U.S. support for Ukraine will evolve under his administration.
While some critics see the intelligence freeze as a dangerous gamble, others say it could be a calculated move to pressure Ukraine into peace talks.
As a ceasefire deal has continued to be in talks, Trump said on Friday he is considering new sanctions on Russia following a wave of attacks on Ukraine.
The president wrote in a Friday post on Truth Social: “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
Trump’s statement came hours after Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Officials suggested that the suspension could be lifted soon, depending on ongoing negotiations between Trump and Zelensky over a potential peace deal with Russia. Talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials are set to take place in Saudi Arabia next week.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump urged Ukraine to “get on the ball and get a job done” as he expressed frustration over Kyiv’s position over peace talks, saying he found it “more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine.”
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
What Happened in Zelensky’s White House Meeting?
The White House meeting on February 28 was a striking exchange of open antagonism in the Oval Office, a space typically reserved for formal diplomacy, especially among U.S. allies. Trump made clear his pressure on Zelensky to agree to a deal securing U.S. interests in Ukraine’s valuable minerals and to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the war on his terms.
Vance told Zelensky: “Mr. President, with respect. I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
Zelensky attempted to interject, but Trump eventually raised his voice, warning: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
The mineral deal was not signed since Zelensky left the White House early and the discussion of a path forward was cut short.
What People Are Saying
David Axelrod, a political commentator and President Barack Obama’s chief campaign strategist, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday: “The baffling thing about Trump’s post today flaying Russia for its latest barrage of missile attacks on Ukraine is that it follows, by a few days, the [POTUS]’s decision to withhold from Ukraine the intelligence-sharing it needs to better repel such attacks. #confusing.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote in part on X: “I presented the vision that swift progress toward peace is possible, and together with our partners, we understand what steps can stop the war, guarantee security, and ensure a just and lasting peace. We are preparing practical proposals.”
He added: “The war must end as soon as possible, and Ukraine is ready to work 24/7 with our partners in the United States and Europe for peace.”
U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff told reporters outside the White House on Thursday: “President Zelensky sent a letter to the president, I think the president thought it was a really good positive first step, and from that, we have now, we are now in discussions to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyad, or even in Jeddah, so the city’s moving around a little bit, but it will be Saudi Arabia, and I think the idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement, and an initial ceasefire as well.”
What Happens Next?
The U.S. and Ukraine will convene in Saudi Arabia next week to discuss the contours of a peace deal and potentially sign an economic securities deal that would give the U.S. rights to mine rare earth minerals from Ukraine as a means of recouping the cost of aid sent during the war.