Expert: Graham's death weakens support for Ukraine in the US

 

Lars Larsson/TT, Kristoffer Viita/TT 

Published 13:10

  

Before the 2016 presidential election, Lindsey Graham was a candidate who was completely against one of his rivals, current President Donald Trump. When Trump became president, Graham turned against him and managed to maintain his influence over foreign policy. Archive photos from 2016. Photo: Rainer Erhardt, John Locher/AP/TTShow more

The death of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham means that Ukraine loses one of its defenders in Washington. His passing may also give Democrats a new opportunity in the midterm elections this fall.

As recently as Friday, Graham made a quick visit to Ukraine, met with Ukrainian President Zelensky and gave the thumbs up for an agreement between the Senate and the White House to increase sanctions against Russia.

– It is a weakened voice within the Republican Senate family for internationalism, especially on the Ukraine issue, says US expert Jan Hallenberg, professor emeritus of political science at the Swedish National Defense University, about Graham's death.

He mentions that Graham also tried to find some kind of solution in the Middle East, where he also collaborated with former President Joe Biden.

– It is clear that if you support Ukraine, it is a loss with Graham. On the Republican side, he has been the one who has driven this more than anyone else, says Jan Hallenberg.

But his importance should not be exaggerated, according to Hallenberg. The Senate has not been as important in foreign affairs in recent years compared to the president and the secretary of state.

Turned around on Trump

Lindsey Graham was originally a Republican of the conservative, traditional tribe and criticized Donald Trump harshly before the 2016 presidential election, but turned around to be staunchly loyal. In this way, and through rounds of golf with Trump, he managed to maintain his influence in foreign policy. When Trump went to war with Iran, he received dividends, as a former open and enthusiastic advocate of the United States using military force in foreign policy.

– He played an important role in foreign policy, says Dag Blanck, professor of North American studies at Uppsala University.

Chose power

According to Blanck, Graham is a telling example of the choice of path that Republicans have made under Trump. He and many other former Trump critics, including current Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have chosen power instead of holding on to ideals.

According to Dag Blanck, it will be the governor of South Carolina who appoints Graham's successor in the Senate until the candidate who wins the midterm elections in November is sworn in.