Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham arrived in Kyiv on March 18 . He met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, members of parliament, and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. During a briefing following the meetings, Graham said that the United States wants to continue to help Ukraine, "but the priority is internal problems," UNN reports, citing Radio Liberty.
"America wants to help, but we have problems at home that we have to start solving. We have problems with the border. Can we solve this issue before the elections? I doubt it, but we have to keep trying. And I hope to find a way forward in the House on two things. Border security. And assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan," the senator added.
Graham also repeatedly emphasized that he supports the idea proposed by former US President Donald Trump that Ukraine should receive aid from the US on credit.
"I told the president that I am ready to help Ukraine, but we have to do it in the form of a loan. This will be a new way of doing business. I think it will get more public support in the United States. When I come home and talk about Israel, people understand. When I talk about Ukraine, they understand. But they also wonder about us, about our nation, about our ability to help ourselves as well as our allies. So I think that former President Trump's idea of turning aid into a forgivable, interest-free loan makes a lot of sense," Graham added.
He also added that he hopes that the draft law on mobilization will be passed, that Ukraine will be able to attract more people to defense, and that in 2024 Ukraine will be able to not only defend itself but also to attack.
The position of Graham and other pro-Ukrainian Republicans is now largely influenced by the opinion of Donald Trump, who is the most likely candidate for the presidency of the Republican Party in the 2024 elections.