Politics
Staunchly Pro-Ukraine Senator Says Zelensky ‘Blew It’ During Trump Meeting
During this week’s installment of “Fox News Sunday,” Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his behavior during his recent Oval Office meeting with President Trump and Vice President Vance, stating that he “blew it.”
Zelensky has faced intense criticism from the Trump Administration after he appeared to suggest that failure to continue the War in Ukraine would lead to national security challenges for the United States. The remark drew a sharp rebuke from President Trump, who ended the meeting and told reporters that he will not be holding another one in the near future.
Zelensky has also agreed to sign, then reneged on an economic agreement that would allocate a portion of the nation’s minerals sector to the United States as backpay for the more than $100 billion in aid provided to date. The Ukrainian president has stated that he would sign a minerals deal on four separate occasions before backing out every time, further exasperating frustration from the Trump Administration.
While speaking with Fox News, the often hawkish senator doubled down on his calls to continue the war effort, though he also issued sharp criticism of Zelensky.
“So there’s a pause right now on Ukrainian aid and intelligence sharing. There are reports that that is hampering Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against this incoming new wave of attacks from Russia. Have you talked with the White House about that? How concerned are you about the long-term impacts of the pause?” host Maria Bartiromo asked.
“Yeah, I talked to Mike Waltz a couple of days ago,” Graham replied. “The goal is to end the war honorably and justly. You know, Zelensky blew it in the White House. We’d been working on this mineral steel for a very long time, but we are where we are.”
The South Carolina lawmaker went on to take issue with Trump’s decision to cut off military aid and access to intelligence sharing with Ukraine. “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’d 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 themselves,” he added.
