Kathrine Frich
Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine remain fragile as pressure builds on both sides.
In Washington, some lawmakers argue that negotiations risk buying time for further Russian advances.
A senior U.S. senator has now outlined what he says should come next if talks fail.
Ultimatum to Moscow
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on Dec. 21 that the United States should sharply escalate pressure on Russia if President Vladimir Putin rejects a negotiated settlement.
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Graham said Washington must be prepared to change its approach.
“If (Putin) says no this time, here’s what I hope President (Donald) Trump will do: Sign my bill that has 85 co-sponsors and put tariffs on countries like China who buy cheap Russian oil,” Graham said.
He also called for designating Russia a state sponsor of terrorism and seizing ships carrying sanctioned Russian oil.
“And most importantly,” he added, “seize ships that are carrying sanctioned Russian oil like you’re doing in Venezuela.”
Tomahawks for Ukraine
Graham said military assistance should also be expanded if Moscow refuses to compromise.
“If Putin says no, we need to dramatically change the game, including giving Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine to hit the drone and missile factories that exist in Russia,” he said. “I would go all in if Putin says no.”
The Tomahawk cruise missile has a range of up to 2,500 kilometers, which would allow Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.
Putin has previously warned that such moves would represent a “qualitatively new stage of escalation.”
Graham argued that current diplomacy risks enabling further Russian gains.
“We keep engaging Russia… and he rebuffs all of our efforts,” he said, adding that Putin “is going to continue to take the Donbas by force until we increase pressure.”
Talks in Florida
Graham’s comments came as Ukrainian and U.S. officials wrapped up a new round of talks in Florida on Dec. 21, following earlier Ukrainian-U.S. discussions on Dec. 19 and U.S.-Russian talks on Dec. 20 in Miami.
Another U.S.-Russia meeting was also scheduled the same day.
Ukraine’s delegation was led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.
“Over the past three days in Florida, the Ukrainian delegation held a series of productive and constructive meetings with American and European partners,” he said, adding that Ukraine remained committed to “a just and sustainable peace.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the talks focused on a revised 20-point peace plan, security guarantees and long-term economic recovery.
Sources: NBC News, KyivIndependent.
