Putin's miscalculation will backfire as US unleashes record arms flow to Ukraine, Graham warns
Photo: Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump is expected to make a surprise statement tomorrow. The announcement could lead to a record flow of American weapons to Ukraine, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on CBS News' Face the Nation program.
What will the "major statement" be about tomorrow?
Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan asked the senator how the US could significantly support Ukraine if Congress does not approve new funding. Military intelligence estimates Russia will have a "7-1 firepower superiority by this winter."
"Well, just stay tuned for tomorrow's announcement," Graham said, hinting at the "major statement" Trump is expected to make on Monday.
He also suggested that funding for military aid to Ukraine might come from a "trillions-of-dollars mineral deal" and from billions in Russian assets frozen in the West.
According to Graham, if European countries are only willing to transfer interest from frozen funds, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent intends to go further.
"Stay tuned for a plan to go after the seized assets more aggressively. Stay tuned for a plan where America will begin to sell to our European allies tremendous amounts of weapons that can benefit Ukraine," Lindsey Graham added.
The 500% tariff law will become a "sledgehammer" in Trump's hands
The senator said Russian President Vladimir Putin counted on Europe and the US growing weary of the war. But he made a big mistake.
According to Graham, NATO is bigger and stronger than Russia. It will not allow Ukraine to be taken over.
"Congress is on the verge of passing the most consequential sanction package in the history of the country. It will give President Trump tools he doesn't have today, a literal sledgehammer. And the big offenders here are China, India, and Brazil... I have talked to President Trump. He said last week, it's time to move," Graham said.
This refers to a law that effectively imposes secondary sanctions on Russian oil. In theory, exports from countries that buy Russian oil would face a 500% tariff in the US. This is notable since the US is the main trading partner of China and India.
"He's tried to entice Putin to the table. And the only way you're going to end this war is to get people who prop up Putin, make them choose between the American economy and helping Putin," Graham explained.
A record flow of weapons to Ukraine is coming soon
The host noted a change in Trump's rhetoric toward Putin. She added that the US president still has just under $4 billion left (carried over from Joe Biden's term) that could be used for weapons to Ukraine under presidential authority without Congress's approval. However, he has not taken any action yet.
"Well, the $4 billion is not nearly enough... But the game regarding Putin's invasion of Russia is about to change. I expect, in the coming days, you will see weapons flowing at a record level to help Ukraine defend itself," Senator Graham said.
He also believes Europe will provide substantial support for aid efforts to Ukraine.
"Putin made a miscalculation here. For six months, President Trump tried to entice Putin to the table. The attacks have gone up, not down. One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is playing Trump. And you just watch. In the coming days and weeks, there's going to be a massive effort to get Putin to the table," Graham added.
Trump may be preparing his aid package for Ukraine
It is worth noting that, as recently as July 2, CBS News reported Trump was considering new funding for Ukraine.
This would be the first such move since he took office in January. Sources say the new funding might aim to send a signal to Russia, which has increased drone and missile strikes on Ukraine in recent weeks.
US officials also noted Trump has about $3.85 billion left from the previous administration for military aid to Ukraine.
Moreover, the White House chief has the power to confiscate about $5 billion from frozen Russian assets.
In addition, Trump recently said a new agreement was reached at the NATO summit.
Under the deal, the US will sell weapons to NATO allies, who will then have the right to decide independently whom to transfer weapons to, including Ukraine.
Later, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified Trump's words, saying the US president calls on NATO allies to provide necessary weapons to Ukraine from their own stockpiles. They would then purchase replacements from the United States.
