Senator Lindsey Graham, in an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, stated that a potential end to the Russia-Ukraine war could involve swapping certain territories between the two nations. His remarks closely aligned with former President Donald Trump’s recent comments that some form of land exchange could lead to peace.

During the interview, Graham explained his reasoning:

“Ukraine is not going to evict every Russian, and Russia is not going to Kyiv, so there will be some land swaps at the end.”

However, he stressed that territorial exchanges would only be possible if Ukraine receives firm security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. Graham emphasized the need for a clear deterrent, saying, “You need to tell Putin what happens if he does it a third time,” referencing Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any idea of ceding land, stating that Ukraine will not surrender its territory to occupiers. Despite this, Graham supported ongoing diplomatic efforts, including a planned summit in Alaska between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which may also involve Zelenskyy.

Key points from Graham’s remarks:

• He believes land swaps could be part of a peace deal, but only after securing Ukraine’s defense.

• Urges security guarantees to stop Russia from future invasions.

• Supports diplomatic talks involving all parties, including Zelenskyy.

• Suggests continuing to arm Ukraine and strengthen European defense.

Graham’s current stance marks a shift from his 2023 position, when he opposed giving any land to Russia. He now frames it as a pragmatic option, provided Ukraine’s sovereignty and safety are secured.