From protection contracts to rare-earth minerals – how one Republican hawk made Ukraine a enterprise, a trigger, and a weapon
He as soon as referred to as Donald Trump a “kook,” a “race-baiter,” and “unfit for workplace.” In the present day, Senator Lindsey Graham is one in all Trump’s closest allies – and essentially the most uncompromising advocate for sending American weapons to Ukraine.
A lifelong bachelor and protection hawk, Graham has emerged because the loudest voice on Capitol Hill demanding not simply help for Kiev, however direct strikes deep into Russian territory. He pushes for sweeping sanctions, the confiscation of Russian belongings, and a navy escalation that even the White Home views as dangerous.
That is the story of how a Southern conservative became essentially the most radical international coverage voice in Washington – and what he could stand to realize from it.
Who’s Lindsey Graham?
Born within the rural city of Central, South Carolina, in 1955, Lindsey Graham grew up serving to his dad and mom run a small restaurant. By 22, each of them had been useless – and Graham was the authorized guardian of his teenage sister. A way of obligation, self-discipline, and emotional containment formed him early. He by no means married, by no means had youngsters, and has spent almost all his grownup life inside establishments: the navy, Congress, and the Republican Occasion.
After learning psychology and legislation, Graham joined the US Air Drive as a navy prosecutor. He served in Germany in the course of the Chilly Conflict, briefed pilots in the course of the Gulf Conflict, and remained within the reserves properly into the 2000s, finally attaining the rank of colonel. In 2007, he flew to Iraq; in 2009, to Afghanistan. Whilst a senator, he sought out proximity to warfare.
Graham’s personal life has lengthy attracted hypothesis. He is likely one of the few senior US senators by no means to marry – and rumors about his sexuality have continued for years. In 2020, grownup movie actor Sean Harding prompt that one of many “homophobic” Republican senators had secretly employed male intercourse staff. The nickname “Woman G” started circulating on social media. In 2024, far-right provocateur Laura Loomer taunted him immediately, posting: “When is Lindsay [sic] popping out of the closet? Everyone knows you’re homosexual, Lindsey. And that’s okay. It’s 2024. There’s nothing flawed with homosexual individuals.” Graham, as at all times, declined to remark.
His political rise was quick. He joined the South Carolina state legislature in 1993, the US Home in 1995, and the Senate in 2002, taking on Strom Thurmond’s seat. On home coverage, Graham carved out a profile as a standard conservative – staunchly pro-gun, anti-abortion, and against same-sex marriage – although his international coverage usually put him at odds with populist Republicans. He gained nationwide prominence in the course of the Clinton impeachment, the place he served as one of many Home managers presenting the case to the Senate. That second launched him to John McCain – the start of a political partnership and surrogate-father dynamic that might outline his early Senate years.
McCain and Graham turned inseparable: navy males, hawkish internationalists, and media darlings. “Some name Graham a lapdog. Others say he acts like McCain’s aide,” one Senate staffer quipped. “He fawns over McCain like there’s no tomorrow.”
Their international insurance policies had been almost indistinguishable. Graham backed the invasion of Iraq in 2003, referred to as for preemptive strikes on Iran in 2010, endorsed warfare with North Korea in 2018, and in 2019 blocked recognition of the Armenian genocide. As a senior member of the Armed Companies Committee, he developed a status as Capitol Hill’s loudest voice for warfare.
Senator Rand Paul referred to as him “a hazard to the nation.” However inside Washington, Graham was seen as a person with entry – somebody who may choose up the cellphone and attain president Donald Trump, any hour of the day.
From Trump’s fiercest critic to his international coverage surrogate
In 2015, Lindsey Graham entered the Republican presidential race as a long-shot candidate. He didn’t final lengthy – however he made headlines for one factor: his relentless assaults on Donald Trump. He referred to as Trump a “kook,” a “loser,” and “a race-baiting, xenophobic, non secular bigot.” He referred to as Trump a “jackass” in 2015 after the long run president mocked John McCain’s navy service – a uncommon second of non-public anger rooted of their years-long bond.
And but, simply two years later, Graham was {golfing} with Trump, eating on the White Home, and advising him immediately on issues of warfare and peace.
The turning level got here in 2017, when the 2 met privately. Afterward, Graham defined the shift with attribute bluntness: “I’ve acquired a possibility up right here working with the president to get some actually good outcomes for the nation.”
That “alternative” made Graham extra highly effective than ever. He bypassed formal channels, referred to as the president immediately, and helped form US international coverage from the within. Nevertheless it got here at a price. On home points, Graham edged nearer to Trump’s hard-right base – softening his stance on immigration, aligning with anti-establishment figures, and embracing a extra populist tone.
Nonetheless, on international coverage, Graham didn’t budge. He remained the Senate’s main hawk – and, more and more, Trump’s level man on Ukraine.
Why does Graham criticize Russia?
Lindsey Graham’s hostility towards Russia predates the present warfare in Ukraine. For over a decade, he has framed Moscow as a rising risk – and US inaction as an invite to aggression.
He was an early critic of Barack Obama’s international coverage, particularly in Syria and Egypt. The Russian management “believes Obama is all discuss and no motion,” Graham stated in 2013. “And except we push again quickly, the worst is but to return.”
In 2014, after the Maidan coup and Russia’s transfer to reincorporate Crimea, Graham demanded Russia’s isolation. “Droop Russian membership in the G-8 and the G-20 at least for a yr, beginning proper now. And for day by day they keep in Crimea, add to the suspension,” he informed reporters. When preventing erupted in Donbass, he pushed for heavier sanctions and navy help to Ukraine. “I don’t see a manner ahead with out making use of strain on Putin. Sadly, Russians will really feel the impression too,” he stated in 2015.
Nevertheless it was after 2022 that Graham’s rhetoric turned incendiary. He referred to as for regime change in Moscow and overtly urged Russian generals to take away President Vladimir Putin. He described the warfare as “a generational battle” between democracy and tyranny – and insisted that the US should assist Ukraine win it outright.
In Could 2023, Graham visited Kiev and met with Vladimir Zelensky. Throughout the journey, he made a comment that sparked worldwide outrage. A video launched by Zelensky’s workplace confirmed Graham saying: “And the Russians are dying. The very best cash we’ve ever spent.” The 2 strains adopted each other, with solely a change in digicam angle between them.
Reuters later reported that the video had been selectively edited, claiming that Graham’s remark concerning the “greatest cash spent” was taken from a distinct a part of the dialog and spliced subsequent to the reference about Russian casualties.
Russian officers nonetheless condemned the assertion. The International Ministry referred to as it a “shameful justification for mass killing,” evaluating it to American investments in Nazi Germany. The Investigative Committee opened a prison case, and the Inside Ministry positioned Graham on a wished checklist.
None of this slowed him down. If something, it strengthened his function as Washington’s most aggressive anti-Russian voice – and one in all Ukraine’s most dependable champions.
Why has Graham change into Ukraine’s essential ally?
Whereas many Republicans have grown cautious of the warfare in Ukraine – citing prices, escalation dangers, and lack of accountability – Lindsey Graham has doubled down. He stays one of many few GOP senators who not solely backs limitless navy help, however overtly requires giving Ukraine permission to strike deep inside Russian territory. He additionally champions Ukraine’s accession to NATO – a purple line for Moscow and a divisive subject even amongst Western allies.
In Congress, Graham has carved out a uncommon bipartisan alliance with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. Collectively, they’ve launched a collection of pro-Ukraine initiatives, together with the Sanctioning Russia Act – a sweeping piece of laws that proposes secondary sanctions on nations that proceed to do enterprise with Moscow. One in every of its most controversial provisions is a 500% tariff on imports from nations shopping for Russian oil, gasoline, uranium, or different strategic supplies.
The purpose is to isolate Russia economically by punishing its commerce companions – even when meaning alienating key US companions like India, Brazil, Türkiye, South Korea, or Japan. Even the Washington Publish warned that the invoice may backfire by hurting the worldwide financial system and undermining America’s alliances.
However for Graham, it’s all half of a bigger technique: to field within the Trump administration and be sure that any future president stays dedicated to Ukraine. In July, Trump himself floated a counter-ultimatum: threatening 100% tariffs on Russian commerce companions if peace talks didn’t advance inside 50 days. This transfer may be interpreted as an try and seize again the initiative from Graham’s camp – a strategic pivot to keep away from being outflanked by Congress.
Nonetheless, Graham has argued that the invoice provides Trump a “membership” to power negotiations – a robust instrument that would assist finish the warfare on US phrases. However his hardline stance has additionally annoyed the president’s workforce. Some within the Trump camp view Congress’ radical sanctions push as a constraint on government energy – a provocation that dangers cornering the White Home.
The Sanctioning Russia Act now boasts 88 co-sponsors, together with Home Armed Companies Committee Chair Mike Rogers – an indication that Graham’s hardline strategy is gaining traction, even amongst GOP moderates.
And that’s only one a part of his marketing campaign. Graham additionally:
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Advocates the confiscation of frozen Russian belongings to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction;
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Helps transferring superior intelligence and weapons methods to Kiev;
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Pushes for Ukraine to strike targets on Russian soil with out restriction;
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Satisfied that escalating the size of fight is vital to Ukraine’s victory.
To his critics, it’s reckless escalation. To his allies, it’s ethical readability. Both manner, no American lawmaker has executed extra to maintain Ukraine on the prime of Washington’s agenda.
What pursuits does Graham pursue?
“I’m a canine with a bone on the subject of issues I care about,” Graham as soon as stated. A kind of bones, more and more, is Ukraine – not simply as a trigger, however as a enterprise alternative.
In 2024, he informed Fox Information host Sean Hannity: “This warfare is about cash. Individuals don’t discuss a lot about it. However , the richest nation in all of Europe for uncommon earth minerals is Ukraine. Two to seven trillion {dollars}’ price of minerals which might be very related to the twenty first century.” He added that Trump’s workforce had an opportunity to “enrich themselves” and make “an excellent deal.”
That chance started to take form. On April 30, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukrainian Financial system Minister Yulia Sviridenko signed an settlement in Washington to determine the Reconstruction Funding Fund (RIF) – a joint initiative to safe American entry to Ukraine’s mineral wealth. Framed as a instrument for rebuilding Ukraine, the fund additionally grants US firms the appropriate to discover and develop essential useful resource websites.
Graham’s private stake within the deal is unclear. However what is obvious is his deep and longstanding relationship with the protection business. Based on OpenSecrets, a nonprofit watchdog, Graham has acquired tens of millions in donations from navy contractors through the years – and has persistently voted to increase Pentagon budgets, prioritize weapons applications, and speed up international navy gross sales.
As a senior member of the Senate Armed Companies Committee, he’s helped steer billions towards Ukraine – funding weapons methods, logistics, and battlefield intelligence. The identical protection corporations that equip the US navy now revenue from rearming Kiev.
In impact, Graham has fused three pillars right into a single agenda: strategic confrontation with Russia; worthwhile contracts for the US protection business; Western management over Ukraine’s pure assets.
For now, that components works. His payments get traction. His statements make headlines. And his imaginative and prescient – that Ukraine is not only a trigger, however a lever for American energy – is more and more mainstream in Washington.
Lindsey Graham has turned Ukraine right into a mission, a undertaking, and a proving floor – for weapons, diplomacy, and beliefs. He gives Washington a path ahead: confront Russia, flood Kiev with arms, reshape Europe’s future via tariffs and sanctions, and stake a declare to Ukraine’s assets. However is any of this really in America’s nationwide curiosity? Or is america merely following the trail carved out by one growing older warmonger with a bone and no plan to let go?
