Graham supports arming Ukraine to avoid future invasion. What about U.S. troops?

The U.S. should continue arming Ukraine after the war with Russia ends, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said.

That would not extend to putting American troops on the front lines in Ukraine, Graham told reporters following a town hall at a Richland County GOP meeting Tuesday.

“We’ll provide them things only America can provide, and we will be backing up our European partners,” Graham said.

The longtime Senator spoke in Columbia a day after President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a coalition of European leaders in Washington, D.C. Trump also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Now, Trump is pushing for additional discussions with Zelenskyy and Putin.

As pressure mounts to help end the war in Ukraine, Graham said the U.S. should threaten to “crush” Russia’s economy if Putin didn’t come to the bargaining table. Graham has proposed a bipartisan bill that would allow the president to place steep tariffs on countries that purchase gas and oil from Russia. 85 out of 100 U.S. Senators are sponsoring the bill.

“We need to let Putin know that you can’t play games anymore, that if you don’t come to the table and end this war justly, then we’re going to crush your economy,” Graham said.

The threat of sanctions could also act as a deterrent to keep Russia from invading Ukraine again, Graham said. While meetings on ending the invasion continue, the U.S., Ukraine and Europe are also thinking about how to keep Russia from starting another war.

With hopes that the war is winding down, Graham has also softened his position on Ukraine ceding land to Russia. In 2023, the senator said a land swap would invite future Russian invasions in a statement. Now, it may be inevitable, Graham said on Meet the Press on Aug. 10.

“I think ceding land is the last thing, not the first thing,” Graham told reporters at a Republican fundraiser on Aug. 9. Graham said the land swaps would only come after security guarantees are made to avoid future invasions.

Graham is up for reelection in 2026. Project 2025 architect Paul Dans and Greenville businessman Mark Lynch have announced challenges in the Republican primary. Dans has criticized Graham for supporting involvement in international conflict, calling him a “childless warmonger” in his campaign kickoff.

Graham sparred with some town hall attendees Tuesday evening, primarily over his stances on Israel and Iran. The senator views Israel as a U.S. ally and supported Trump’s bombing of an Iranian nuclear site. One attendee, who said he would run as a Libertarian against Graham, asked “who would Jesus bomb?”

“Well, Jesus ain’t here,” Graham replied.