Here’s what Graham had to say.
President Donald Trump is preparing for a high-stakes showdown with Russian leader Vladimir Putin — and according to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the mission is clear: end the war in Ukraine for good and send a powerful warning to China about Taiwan.
Trump’s Mission: Peace Through Strength
Graham, fresh off a weekend of golfing with Trump, told NBC’s Meet the Press, “President Trump will end this war in a way that prevents a third invasion of Ukraine — and makes it crystal clear to China that Taiwan is not up for grabs. We’re not out to humiliate Putin, we’re out to secure a deal that stops his aggression.”
Graham stressed that any peace agreement must include ironclad security guarantees from European nations to protect Ukraine — something the Kremlin has fiercely opposed.
Why Ukraine Must Stay Strong
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 under Obama, and in February 2022 — under Joe Biden’s weak leadership — Moscow launched its brutal full-scale invasion. Trump has repeatedly said this war would never have started if he had been in office.
“Even after peace, Ukraine must remain armed with modern weapons,” Graham said. “European forces should serve as a tripwire so Putin knows another invasion means immediate consequences. This is also a dress rehearsal for Taiwan.”
The Alaska Summit: Trump vs. Putin
Trump will meet Putin in Alaska this Friday. The talks follow reports that Putin has floated proposals to Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, though details remain unclear. Before this breakthrough, Trump had threatened crippling secondary sanctions and tariffs if Russia refused to move toward peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that no peace plan should be decided without Ukraine at the table. The White House has considered having Zelensky attend, but Trump has made it clear he’s willing to meet Putin alone if necessary.
Possible Peace Deal Structure
Graham floated the idea of a settlement similar to Cold War-era divisions, like East and West Berlin, or the North and South Korea truce.
“Ukraine won’t remove every Russian, and Russia won’t keep everything,” he admitted. “There may be land swaps — but the ultimate goal for both me and President Trump is to end this war permanently.”
Trump’s Advantage: Negotiating From Strength
With the Alaska summit looming, Graham expressed total confidence. “President Trump will walk into that meeting with the full strength of the United States behind him. This is about defending Europe, protecting Ukraine, standing up to tyrants, and keeping America safe.”