Fact Check: "Graham calls Trump's agreement on sanctions a 'big breakthrough'"
What We Know
Senator Lindsey Graham recently made headlines by stating that there has been a significant development regarding sanctions on Russia. During a conversation with President Donald Trump, Graham reported that Trump expressed readiness for the Senate to vote on a sanctions bill, which Graham characterized as a "big breakthrough" in their discussions (Yahoo, Kyiv Independent). This statement comes amid ongoing discussions about imposing new sanctions on Russia, particularly in response to its actions in Ukraine.
Analysis
Graham's comments were made following a round of golf with Trump, where he indicated that the president was supportive of moving forward with the sanctions bill. He stated, "For the first time yesterday the president told me... he says, 'it's time to move your bill'" (Kyiv Independent). This assertion was echoed in other reports, confirming that Graham indeed referred to the development as a "big breakthrough" (Yahoo, RBC Ukraine).
The sources reporting on Graham's statement are credible news outlets that provide political coverage, including Yahoo and Kyiv Independent. Both sources have a track record of reporting on U.S. politics and international relations, which adds to their reliability. However, it is essential to note that Graham's characterization of the event could be seen as politically motivated, aiming to portray a sense of progress in U.S.-Russia relations and legislative action.
Conclusion
The claim that "Graham calls Trump's agreement on sanctions a 'big breakthrough'" is True. Graham did indeed make this statement following his discussions with Trump, and multiple credible sources confirm his characterization of the event as a significant development in the context of U.S. sanctions against Russia.