Sen. Lindsey Graham says Trump ready to ‘crush’ Russian economy if Putin avoids talks with Zelenskyy

AP News ^ | Updated 5:20 PM CDT, August 19, 2025 | OEY CAPPELLETTI and MARY CLARE JALONICK

[E. Pluribus Unum]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Tuesday that he believes President Donald Trump is prepared to “crush” Russia’s economy with a new wave of sanctions if Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the coming weeks.

Graham, who spoke with Trump on Tuesday morning, has pushed the president for months to support his sweeping bipartisan sanctions bill that would impose steep tariffs on countries that are fueling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by buying its oil, gas, uranium, and other exports. The legislation has the backing of 85 senators, but Trump has yet to endorse it. Republican leaders have said they won’t move without him.

“If we don’t have this thing moving in the right direction by the time we get back, then I think that plan B needs to kick in,” Graham said in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday. The Senate, now away from Washington for the August recess, is scheduled to return in September.

Graham’s call with Trump came less than 24 hours after high-stakes meetings at the White House with Zelenskyy and several European leaders. Trump and the leaders emerged from those talks sounding optimistic, with the expectation being that a Putin and Zelenskyy sit-down will happen soon.

[Jan_Sobieski]

Notice how violent sodomites are? They must beat on the door until they fafo.

[Secret Agent Man]

Grahamnesty really needs to shut the hell up.

[doc maverick]

Graham sure has been mouthy lately. Is Trump using him in a good cop/bad cop game? Lindsay is making all the threats! LOL!

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

My bride and I, both South Carolina voters, are going to vote for his primary challenger next year. Will he be “crushed?” We rather hope so.

[Nekman]

Sounds like someone watched the Titans vs.Vikings last night and got overly excited.....again....

[unclebankster]

What Graham means, is to crush the global economy.

All for the love of his girl.....the Ukraine.

[KittyKares]

He seems to really want a war with Russia. He must get some hefty campaign contributions from the military industrial complex.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Since she’ll have Trump’s endorsement I don’t think you will be getting rid of her.

[huckfillary]

He meant all for the love a boy.

[OKSooner]

I saw what you just now did exactly right there.

[EnderWiggin1970]

his sweeping bipartisan sanctions bill that would impose steep tariffs on countries that are fueling Russia

Well, most of the world is still trading with Russia. The US under these Deep State stooges will just be standing in a corner sneering at everyone else and wondering why it's own economy is the one suffering as it cuts itself off from the world.

[Bratch]

When Questioned About Ukraine-Russia Intransigence, President Trump Says, “Maybe I do Nothing, and Say It’s Your Fight”

August 23, 2025 | Sundance 

A very interesting response from President Trump against the U.S. President stepping back and awaiting Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to organize their teams and schedule a bilateral discussion.

President Trump has said he expects the diplomatic teams of Zelenskyy and Putin to coordinate a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy in the next two weeks.

As noted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sometimes it just takes putting the principals into the same room to break the logjam.  However, both regimes have entrenched ideologues who are positioning for maximum leverage.

President Trump is asked what he will do if Zelenskyy and Putin cannot or do not organize a meeting. WATCH:

Trump sets TIGHT deadline on Russia-Ukraine decision

For the first time President Trump indicates he’s willing to take a full retreat position from the effort, “or do we do nothing, and say it’s your fight.” 

Doing nothing seems to indicate the U.S. withdraws all support and lets them fight to the point of defeat or surrender.  Doing nothing is actually doing something quite remarkable.

In the background of all of this, DNI Tulsi Gabbard has issued a directive telling all of the intelligence agencies all information regarding the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations is not to be shared with U.S.-allied intelligence partners.

[…] “The memo, dated July 20 and signed by Gabbard, directed agencies to not share information with the so-called Five Eyes, the post-World War II intelligence alliance comprising the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, multiple U.S. intelligence officials told CBS News.” {LINK}

[who knows what evil?]

Shut up, little war pig.

[Zathras]

Linda, you have no idea what Trump is going to do next.
Stop pretending to be President.

[unclebankster]

He meant all for the love a boy.

***********

I was giving Graham the benefit of the doubt, at being a forever bachelor.

[mass55th]

Probably had to change your underwear after you said that eh, Lindsey?

[MinorityRepublican]

Lindsey Graham is right. Putin is not ready to negotiate until he feels pressure.

Zelensky was not willing to negotiate. Trump told him that he has no choice. So that's taken care of.

Now Trump needs to get Putin to negotiate.

Russia depends on their oil revenue to fund their war machine in Ukraine.

As long as they're doing that, Putin is not going to negotiate because he feels he has the leverage right now.

[Mariner]

Trump tells Graham everything he wants to hear every time they talk.

Because Lindsey hasn’t caught on yet.

[Kazan]

There are no sanctions or tariffs on Russia or secondary countries that wouldn't crush our economy that will make difference.

Graham is bloviating again and knows that.