WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after joining Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the NATO Informal Foreign Ministers Meeting in Antalya, Turkey.

“I was pleased to join Secretary of State Rubio and his team at the side events for an informal meeting of the NATO foreign ministers. Secretary Rubio and his team did a masterful job expressing President Trump’s foreign policy goals that seek to bring about unity with our NATO allies on several major fronts.

“Turkey was an excellent host and is an invaluable ally that is helping to bring stability to the region, particularly with Syria.

“These are my takeaways from the meeting.”

On Syria:

“President Trump’s groundbreaking meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria has created a tremendous opportunity to change the trajectory of Syria for the better.

“President Trump has decided to waive sanctions on Syria, which could provide much-needed economic and humanitarian relief to a suffering population. I will be working closely with President Trump, Secretary Rubio and their teams to follow up on sanctions relief, and hopefully eventually rescinding Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law.

“I am clear-eyed about the challenges that lie ahead. They include Israel’s legitimate security concerns, the integration of minority groups, like the Kurds, into a cohesive Syria, and a continued commitment to fight ISIS and other radical groups.

“Today, I met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. I found his and President al-Sharaa’s statements encouraging.

“A new Syria that rejects radicalism and is willing to live in the region as a peaceful, productive partner aligned with the United States would truly be a gamechanger. I sense that history is in the making in all the right ways, however time will tell.”

On Russia:

“President Trump has earnestly sought to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine, and I share that desire. However, to achieve that goal, you must have willing partners. Ukraine has agreed to a ceasefire. Ukraine’s President came to Turkey – as suggested by President Trump – to talk peace with Putin. Putin, on the other hand, has decided not to attend and instead sent a low-level delegation to continue the same old storyline. I consider this decision inconsistent with wanting peace and an affront to those trying to make peace.

“I expect a very strong bipartisan statement of disappointment regarding Russia’s decision in Istanbul.

“Putin’s Russia is playing games and this needs to stop. I have over 70 cosponsors for sanctions against Russia if they continue the course they are on. This legislation also puts tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas and other products. When it comes to Russia’s games, enough is enough.”

On China:

“China is one of the biggest purchasers of Russian oil and gas. They are propping up Putin’s war machine.

“President Trump wants to reset our relationship with China and I agree. However, the world needs to understand that without China buying cheap Russian oil, Putin’s war machine would come to a grinding halt. To all those who buy cheap Russian oil and gas, the days where you do so with impunity are quickly coming to an end.

“It is now time for the U.S. Senate to move strongly because Putin is giving us no other choice.”

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