Lindsey Graham Meets With Zelensky After Voting Against Ukraine Aid

Senator Lindsey Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, just weeks after voting against a bill that would have allocated more funding for Kyiv as it defends itself against Russia.

Zelensky announced his meeting with Graham, a South Carolina Republican, in a post to X, formerly Twitter, writing that they discussed topics such as Ukraine's integration into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), increased sanctions against Russia, and the use of Russia's frozen assets for Ukrainian needs.

"We discussed further comprehensive assistance for Ukraine. I informed Senator Graham of the frontline situation and our army's priority needs. It is critical that our partners continue to provide military and technical assistance, such as air defense systems and missiles," Zelensky wrote.

The Ukrainian leader noted that support from the United States is "now more important than ever in implementing plans to de-occupy our territories and protect our people."

Newsweek reached out to Graham's office for comment via email.

The U.S. has given Ukraine roughly $75 billion since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion in February 2022. Foreign aid has played a critical role in boosting Kyiv's military capacity and blocking Moscow from making substantial gains.

However, fresh aid for Ukraine has been held up in Congress, where many House Republicans oppose new funding for the U.S. ally, instead arguing that money should be used domestically to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico border.

In February, the Senate voted down a bill that would have included funding for Ukraine and the border. Graham, who has long touted his support for Ukraine, was among the Republicans who voted against the legislation.

Graham has never said he opposed aid for Ukraine. In a statement about the failed legislation, he said he believed it fell short of properly addressing the rise in migrant arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border, noting that it still had "many positive aspects."

In that statement, he reiterated his support for passing legislation that would give aid to Ukraine and other U.S. allies.

"I have been saying for months that helping Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are extremely important national security imperatives for the United States. The Ukrainians have fought like tigers, but they need more assistance. Over time they will continue to deal blows to Russia. Pulling the plug on Ukraine only invites further aggression in other areas of the world, particularly from China," he wrote.

Still, many of Graham's critics noted his opposition to the bill when responding to the meeting with Zelensky.

"After voting last month to block aid for Ukraine, Lindsey Graham met President [Zelensky] in Kyiv today. Shameless," wrote the X account Republicans Against Trump.

"So when you come back to the U.S. @LindseyGrahamSC you're going to change your tune and start supporting Ukraine AGAIN as he has flip flopped in the last year on support on Ukraine," posted activist Skyleigh Heinen-Uhrich.

Others, however, praised Graham for meeting with Zelensky.

"Say what you will about Graham, but just like his friend John McCain, he actually travels to the countries where armed conflicts occur to get first-hand impressions to inform US policy. I wish more US senators would follow their lead," wrote Immo Landwerth, a .NET program manager.

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