Graham, an ex-Air Force lawyer and long-time defense hawk, tweeted Thursday evening, “The only people who can fix it”
Graham tweeted, “The only way this ends it is for someone in Russia to take that guy out.” You would be doing your country (and the world) a great favor.”
Some of the most liberal and conservative members of Congress reacted quickly to the tweet. Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz called it “an extraordinarily bad idea”. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a Republican, denounced this Week for speaking at an event hosted by a white nationist. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a Democrat , also tweeted: “Seriously? wtf?”
Graham’s idea was dismissed by Psaki on Friday.
She stated, “That isn’t the position of America’s government” and that it was not something she would hear from anyone working in the administration.
Graham’s comments come at a difficult time for the White House. It is trying to orchestrate a tough Western response against Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, while also trying to avoid direct confrontation with Russia to avoid a wider war. Fears have been raised that the Russian president may be open to the idea of using nuclear weapons.
The U.S. has not yet agreed to a no fly zone over Ukraine, which could cause clashes between Russian warplanes.
The White House requested $10 billion in emergency funding from Congress to fund humanitarian aid. The approval could be granted as soon as next week. The Biden administration is also being urged by lawmakers to stop oil imports Russia. This move could increase the pressure on the country’s increasingly isolated economy.
Graham is not the only one who encourages Putin to live a normal life. Anatoly Antonov (Russia’s ambassador to America) called his remarks “unacceptable” and “outlandish.”
Graham spoke out in an interview with Fox News Friday morning. He stated that Russia needs “an Eliot Ness” or Wyatt Earp to end the fighting, referring to the famed American law enforcement officers.
Graham stated, “I believe this is a one-man problem surrounded by only a few people.”
Graham also introduced Friday a resolution along with a bipartisan group senators calling for Putin’s accountability for his actions in Ukraine. This resolution includes investigations into war crimes.
According to a source familiar with the invitation by the Ukrainian Embassy, Graham and his Senate colleagues will be able to speak to Volodymyr Zelenskyy in person Saturday.
According to the person who requested anonymity to discuss private invitations, all senators are invited. This will be the first meeting between U.S. lawmakers and the Ukrainian president since Russia invaded Ukraine.
