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Graham: To be weak in Ukraine means losing Taiwan

Republican Lindsey Graham thinks Trump “understands” how to deal with Russian and Chinese aggression

US Senator Lindsey Graham has told HARDtalk that if American politicians are “weak in Ukraine”, they will “lose Taiwan”. Graham said that “everybody wants to thump their chest about China, and that's good. Let’s stand up to the Chinese”.

Speaking to Stephen Sackur, he recalled telling Donald Trump that “if you [give] Putin a lifeline, that's the worst signal you could send to China”. Graham insists that the former President “understands” that the “best way to defend Taiwan” is to deter China. He recounted telling the 45th US President that “if the Chinese see us pull the plug on Ukraine…you better get ready for a war with China.”

Senator Graham, who has endorsed Trump for a second term, was critical of Republican challenger Ron DeSantis, describing him as “all over the board”. Graham predicted that the “next commander-in-chief in 2025” would find Putin “on his back foot”.

The senator, who has represented South Carolina for two decades, also noted that although Trump “set in motion” the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the former President is “very glad” it did not occur “on his watch”.

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