🇺🇦🇷🇺Ukraine vs Russia

Trump Ally Graham Says New Sanctions and Ukrainian Firepower Could End Russia’s War

In Kyiv, Sen. Lindsey Graham announced White House support for tougher Russia sanctions, arguing that enhanced Ukrainian firepower and pressure on China could force Moscow to negotiate.

Kyiv Post

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11 يوليو 2026

4 دقيقة قراءة

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US Senator Lindsey Graham,a close ally of US President Donald Trump, voiced strong optimism that Russia’s war against Ukraine could be brought to an end, outlining a strategy centered on increasing Kyiv’s military leverage while imposing heavy costs on countries sustaining Moscow’s war economy.

“I’ve never been more optimistic than I am today that we have the formula to end this war,” Graham said in Kyiv following the NATO summit in Ankara.

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According to the South Carolina Republican, the path to peace requires strengthening Ukraine on the battlefield while warning governments supporting Russia that continued assistance will carry consequences.

“Help Ukraine be more lethal, let those supporting Russia know there is going to be a price to be paid if you keep doing it, and try to find an off-ramp – not to humiliate [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, but to end this war so that Ukraine will thrive and survive,” Graham said.

At the same time, Graham underscored the need to offer an off-ramp that would bring Putin to serious negotiations without aiming to humiliate him.

“We have a magic moment in time here,” Graham said. “In the coming months, if we do this right – increase Ukraine’s lethality, get people to help us with Putin rather than propping him up – we can end this war.”

Sanctions deal reached with White House

Graham also announced a major legislative breakthrough, stating that negotiators had reached an agreement with the White House on a long-debated Russia sanctions bill supported by the Trump administration. 

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“I’m pleased to announce that, as of about 30 minutes ago, we’ve reached agreement with the White House on a version of the Russian sanctions bill that they will support,” he said. “It means it’s going to become law.”

The senator noted that he and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal will approach Senate leadership upon returning to Washington to secure floor time for the package. The legislation would equip Trump with expanded tools to penalize third-party countries purchasing Russian energy and aiding the Kremlin’s war effort.

“The road to ending this war, the road to peace, passes through Beijing more than it does Washington, Kyiv or Moscow,” Graham said. “China has an oversized influence. I’d like them to use their influence for the good of the world.”

He added that Putin did not yet appear ready to end the war but argued that sustained pressure could quickly alter the Kremlin leader’s calculations.

“I don’t believe Putin is there yet, but it wouldn’t take much to get him there,” Graham said.

Focus on Patriot licensing and drone tech

Graham’s visit coincided with high-level talks in Kyiv between President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Representative Michael McCaul, chairman eneritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Their discussions centered on Patriot interceptor production, long-range capabilities, and joint drone manufacturing.

Writing on X, Zelensky stated that McCaul welcomed Ukraine’s achievements at the Ankara NATO summit. Zelensky also briefed McCaul on his recent meeting with President Trump, underscoring the critical importance of securing US licenses for Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defense systems locally.

“Licenses to produce future Patriot systems in Ukraine – this is very important to us,” Zelensky wrote. “We expect that our teams will be able to deliver on this swiftly.”

The leaders also assessed frontline developments, ongoing Russian air attacks, and Ukrainian long-range strikes against targets supporting Moscow’s war effort. Zelensky cited recent disruptions across Russia’s energy sector as direct evidence of Ukraine’s growing indigenous technological reach.

“The fuel situation in Russia is the result of Ukrainian technology at work,” Zelensky noted, reiterating Kyiv’s commitment to scale up production through the established “Drone Deal” framework alongside international allies.

“We are ready to develop this capability – especially in drones – together with our partners who have stood with us from the very beginning,” Zelensky said.