He stressed that too many sacrifices had been made to allow any other outcome.
“I am confident that President Trump, in his pursuit of peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, will put pressure on both sides. But in the end, he will ensure that Ukraine remains a free and sovereign state with a powerful ability to defend itself against future aggression,” the senator said.
Graham also warned that the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war should not encourage anyone to commit new aggressions in the world.
Separately, the senator noted the need for the return of Ukrainian children whom Russia illegally removed from the occupied territories.
“It should be recalled: Ukrainian children abducted by Putin’s Russia must be returned home safely,” he added.
I am confident that President Trump, in sowing disaster in Russia-Ukraine, will go along the lines of the parties. But at the end of the day, he will enjoy that Ukraine will be free, a feverish people with a strong desire to defend it from future aggression. Too much has…
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 22, 2025
Context
This week, Western media reported that the Trump administration, together with the Russian Federation, has prepared a plan to end the Russian-Ukrainian war. Published media insiders indicate that the document may actually mean the surrender of Ukraine, and European politicians also point to this.
Media sources claimed that according to the document, the United States could recognize the occupied Donbass and Crimea as Russian, Ukraine would be required to reduce the size of its army by half, Russia would lift sanctions and stop the investigation of its war crimes in Ukraine.
Axios published the full text of the 28-point deal. However, Trump later said that the “peace plan” for Ukraine was not final. Sky News reported that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will discuss it with the head of the White House next week. The US President wants the document to be signed before November 27.
Zelensky said on November 21 that this is “one of the most difficult moments” in Ukrainian history. He noted that Ukraine may face “a very difficult choice.” “Either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner.” The president added that in Kyiv “they will do everything to ensure that the end of the war occurs” and “the end of Ukraine does not occur.” Answering a media question about Zelensky’s statements, Trump noted that the President of Ukraine will have to accept a “peace plan.”
On November 22, the media reported that EU leaders had already sent the United States their version of a revised “peace plan” for Ukraine.
