Senator Lindsey Graham expressed his opinion on ABC’s “This Week” show that the Biden administration must immediately declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. This is in light of the current situation in Germany and the need to provide Ukraine with weapons to protect themselves against Russian aggression. He further suggested that the United States should implement two measures to address this issue: put Russia on its list of terrorist states, and start training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 jets.

Graham believes this is necessary considering Kamala Harris’ recent statement in Munich that ‘Russia is engaged in crimes against humanity’. This statement holds significant weight as it was made regarding Germany, which carries strong echoes from World War II. Being able to make such a conclusion means that it is also imperative for Ukraine to be given defensive weapons so they can stop any more atrocities committed by Russia.

Graham said,

“Number one, there are 30 United States senators in Munich along with a big House delegation. Senator McConnell and Schumer both came. Virtually unanimous belief that we should be training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 today so they can get the jets as soon as possible. The British are training Ukrainian pilots. I believe a decision will be imminent here when we get back to Washington that the administration will start training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16. They need that weapons system, and let me just stress this. How can you call this war by Russia a crime against humanity, and that’s what the vice president did in Munich, and we’re talking about Germany. We’re talking about the vice president of the United States declaring that Russia is involved in crimes against humanity in Germany of all places, you know, echoes of World War II. How can she say that, and she is correct, and not give the victim of the crime against humanity the defensive weapons they need to stop the crime? So, we need to do two things quickly. Make Russia a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law, which would make it harder for China to give weapons to Russia, and we need to start training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 now.”

The support for Graham’s view is almost unanimous among the 30 U.S Senators who are present at Munich, alongside a large House delegation led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Both leaders have agreed that Ukraine should receive F-16s as soon as possible, and the British government has already started training its own Ukrainian pilots. Thus, it is only apt for even the U.S to follow suit and ensure Ukraine’s safety by equipping them with F-16 jet fighters as well as declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism under US law so as to make it harder for China to give weapons to Russia.