Sen. Graham Urges US to Declare Russia State Sponsor of Terrorism, Train Ukrainian Pilots on F-16s

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) speaks to reporters in Washington on March 2, 2022. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said the United States should designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and start training Ukrainian pilots on using F-16 fighter jets to aid Kyiv in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Graham’s requests, if granted, would represent a significant escalation in military support from the United States to Ukraine. It comes a day after Vice President Kamala Harris formally declared Putin’s Russia to have committed “crimes against humanity” in Ukraine.

F-16 Fighters

“They need the weapons system,” Graham said on ABC’s “This Week” program aired on Sunday, Feb. 19—referring to Ukraine.