Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) emphasized the critical need to support Ukraine and cautioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not cease his actions, even if he achieves victory in the ongoing conflict with Kyiv.
During an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Senator Graham expressed his belief that if Ukraine were to be handed over to Putin, it would not satisfy his ambitions. According to Graham, this situation extends beyond containing NATO and has implications for other regions as well. He warned that if Ukraine falls into Putin’s hands, it could potentially embolden China to take action with regards to Taiwan, as they closely observe how the international community responds to such a scenario.
During the discussion on the Senate’s two-year reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s (FISA) warrantless surveillance program, Graham, an ardent advocate for Ukraine, highlighted the legislation’s significance. This measure aims to extend the government’s surveillance capabilities on foreigners located abroad for an additional two years. However, privacy advocates have expressed concerns as it also entails the collection of communications involving American citizens with whom these foreigners interact.
Graham emphasized the importance of understanding the conversations happening abroad in order to protect the safety of the nation. He argued that shutting down the surveillance system would not only hinder the war efforts but also turn it into a criminal act. Graham firmly believed that the purpose of the war was to prevent potential harm from individuals who posed a threat to the country. Therefore, intercepting information from foreigners discussing America was crucial in order to gain insight into their intentions and actions.
Graham’s comments about the dangers posed by foreign adversaries and Putin come just a day after the House of Representatives approved a significant foreign aid bill, putting an end to the long-standing disagreements and divisions among lawmakers.
The comprehensive package, which was approved through four separate votes, allocates approximately $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific, and a range of other national security measures. Notably, the package also includes a potential ban on the popular TikTok app.
The package will now be sent to the Senate, where it is anticipated to be passed during the middle of the week.
According to Graham, the Ukrainian military, with our assistance, has successfully neutralized approximately 50 percent of the Russian combat capability. He emphasized that this year should be focused on providing Ukraine with even more weaponry, ensuring they have the necessary resources to defend themselves effectively.
Senator Lindsey Graham strongly opposes the idea of giving up on Ukraine, claiming that such a move would have negative consequences for global security. According to him, if we abandon Ukraine due to limited resources, it sets a dangerous precedent for other countries like Taiwan. He emphasizes that Ukrainians are fiercely fighting for their sovereignty and should not be abandoned. Furthermore, he rejects the notion that we cannot support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan simultaneously, stating his complete disagreement with this viewpoint.