LindseyGraham.com
When it comes to Putin, either we pay now or we pay later.
John,
I was proud to vote yesterday for the aid package to Ukraine so
they can fight back against Russia's invasion. I want you to hear
directly from me why I supported this legislation:
I also wrote an editorial that appeared on Fox News' website
explaining my vote. I am sharing it with you because it's
important to understand why I passionately believe America must
stand with Ukraine at this critical moment in history.
Please take a moment to watch this video and read the article
below.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Graham
United States Senator
When it comes to Putin, either we pay now or we pay later
By Sen. Lindsey Graham
May 19, 2022
There is an ongoing, vicious effort by a maniacal dictator to
rewrite the map of Europe. Some American voices are saying "stay
out - what happens there doesn't matter to us."
It all sounds too familiar. The last time this happened, it led
to World War II. This time, the brave people of Ukraine and their
incredible military are more than holding their own against
Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to destroy Ukraine as
an independent, sovereign democratic nation.
The brutal invasion of Russia has devastated the Ukrainian
economy, and Ukraine is unable to continue this fight without
military aid. This Ukrainian victory over Russia would be
priceless for the United States, because if Putin is not defeated
in Ukraine he will continue to rewrite the map of Europe - his
words, not mine.
In the last century, the policy of appeasement and an
isolationist fever allowed Hitler to gain strength and avoid
being effectively stopped numerous times. The rest is history.
Providing state-of-the-art weapons for the Ukrainian military
helps the American economy by keeping the defense supply chain
open and running. This type of military assistance will create
jobs in America.
The mistakes the world made in World War II need not be repeated
in this conflict. Ukraine is not asking for American service
members to fight - they're only asking for weapons and economic
systems to continue the fight.
I am certain this package could be improved and more efficient
and $40 billion is a lot of money, but the sooner the Ukrainian
military can receive more weapons and the Ukrainian people can
receive much-needed economic humanitarian support, the better.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to defeat Putin's
Russia, and the ripple effect would be enormous for U.S. national
security interests. When it comes to Putin, either we pay now or
we pay later.
Congress has an opportunity to supply Ukraine with $40 billion
worth of weapons and economic and humanitarian aid. Over half of
this package would replenish U.S. weapons stocks and provide
military weaponry to the Ukrainian forces who have shown an
ability to use everything America has given them with amazing
effectiveness. It is possible, in my view, for Ukraine to defeat
the Russian army militarily.
If Putin is stopped in Ukraine and eventually replaced, China
will be far less likely to invade Taiwan. Having just returned
from Taiwan, I can assure you that Asia is watching the fight
between Russia and Ukraine.
President Trump provided lethal aid to Ukraine on his watch, and
that aid was used effectively. The Biden administration, while
slow at first, is now working with our allies to supply Ukraine
with weapons that are making a difference.
I am in awe of and inspired by Ukraine's ability to fight like
tigers to push the Russians out of western Ukraine. Some estimate
that up to one third of Russian military capability has been lost
in Ukraine.
The rumblings of discontent in Russia are growing, and the
Russian military is realizing that this war in Ukraine is beyond
devastating to them. We are at a decisive point in this conflict,
and now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal.
It is my hope and belief that there will be a large bipartisan
vote in support of much-needed assistance to Ukraine with the
understanding that Ukrainian victory over Russia is a victory for
democracy itself.
We've seen what happens when politicians talk about defunding the
police. Denying Ukraine economic and military assistance at this
crucial time would be equivalent to defunding the police in terms
of world order. Putin would be emboldened if he believed America
and our allies are backing off supporting Ukraine. As with
defunding the police, there would be a breakdown in world order
from China to Iran.
Putin must see an unending commitment by the West to supply
weapons to the Ukrainian military, and the Ukrainian people must
see that the freedom-loving world is with them. The Russian
people must understand that Putin's misadventure in Ukraine will
be a nightmare for the future of Russia.
America is by nature a noninterventionist nation. However,
America has historically been the arsenal of democracy and stood
up for freedom when very few would. It is in our national
security interest to stand up for freedom for the Ukrainian
people and send a signal to other bad actors like Iran and China
that we have the resolve necessary to push back against evil
aggression.
I believe the combination of a disastrous withdrawal from
Afghanistan and a weak approach to Putin's military buildup led
to this invasion. It is now time to reset these mistakes by
providing economic and military assistance to the Ukrainian
people who are very much deserving of our support and respect.
While we have many problems and challenges here at home - broken
borders, a broken supply chain, rampant inflation, spiraling debt
- none are made better by Putin winning in Ukraine. Quite the
opposite - if Putin loses in Ukraine, the world will stabilize
over time. A yes vote for Ukrainian assistance is a no vote to
Putin's barbaric evil war.
Republican Lindsey Graham represents South Carolina in the
United States Senate.
Paid For By Team Graham, Inc.
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