U.S. Must Continue to Aid Ukraine: Senator Graham
The U.S. should not stop providing aid and intelligence to Ukraine while it fights against Russia, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on March 9.
A heated argument between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House on February 28 led to a pause in U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. However, officials say this is only temporary and that aid will resume when the situation changes.
Senator Graham said that cutting off aid to Ukraine would be worse than what happened in Afghanistan. He believes that until a ceasefire is reached, the U.S. must continue to assist Ukraine.
“I am worried about cutting off intelligence and weapons to Ukraine as long as the fighting is going on,” Graham said.
The U.S. Senator also announced plans to introduce legislation next week to sanction Russia’s banking and energy sectors in an effort to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.
Trump Claims He Will Sanction Russia
President Trump has previously stated that he may impose extensive tariffs and banking sanctions on Russia until a peace agreement is reached. However, when asked if Ukraine would survive without U.S. aid, Trump replied that “it may not survive anyway.”
Graham to Introduce Sanctions Legislation
Senator Graham’s plans to introduce legislation to sanction Russia’s banking and energy sectors come amid growing tensions between the two countries.
Ukraine Claims Russian Forces Suffer Heavy Losses
The Ukrainian military claims that Russian forces have suffered heavy losses, including 1,180 casualties in just one day. The country‘s forces also downed 73 out of 119 drones launched by Russia overnight.
U.S. Vetoed G7 Proposal on Sanctions Evasion
The United States vetoed a Group of Seven (G7) proposal to establish a joint task force that would tackle sanctions evasion related to Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
France to Provide Ukraine with Military Aid
France will provide Ukraine with 195 million euros ($211 million) in military aid using the interest accrued from frozen Russian assets.
Ukraine Claims Heavy Losses for Russia
The Ukrainian government claims that Russian forces have suffered heavy losses, including 82,000 foreign components used against Ukraine.