Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham called on the Biden administration to begin training Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets “today,” in order to provide Ukraine with the planes as soon as possible.

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Reported by|ANNA sam

North America  section CJ journalist

Washington - February 19, 2023

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   The South Carolina senator said in an interview with ABC on Sunday that US lawmakers attending the Munich Security Conference were in “virtually unanimous belief” that the US should provide F-16 training, and that he believes President Joe Biden’s decision on the issue is “imminent.”

Graham urged the Biden administration to not be cautious or fearful of aggravating Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying “don’t worry about provoking Putin, worry about beating him.”

Graham also called on the administration to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism following Vice President Kamala Harris’ remarks in Munich declaring Russia has committed crimes against humanity.

“You have to have actions consistent with that statement,” Graham said.

The senator said Harris’ comments in Germany were particularly poignant given the historical context.

“We're talking about the vice president of the United States declaring that Russia is involved in crimes against humanity — in Germany of all places, you know, echoes of World War II," Graham said. "How can you say that — and she is correct — and not give the victim of the crime against humanity the defensive weapons they need to stop the crime?”

On China's support for Russia: Graham said he was concerned with the US intelligence assessment that China is considering providing deadly weapons to Russia for its war effort.

He said “that would change everything, forever."

Source - CNN