Lindsey Graham: Putin is doing “exactly what Hitler did” as Russia begins invasion of Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WCBD) – Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Monday called for tougher sanctions against the Russian government — and oligarchs — just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued decrees recognizing the independence of two separatist-led Ukrainian regions, effectively setting the foundation for a Russian incursion into the sovereign country.

Graham doubled down on his comments Tuesday, saying during a press conference that the world order is at stake.

“This is the 1930’s all over again. What Putin did [Monday] was tear up an agreement made 25 years ago. That’s exactly what Hitler did in the 1930’s.”

While Graham acknowledged he does not believe a third World War is likely, he said he expects “conflict at every turn, and the stability we’ve enjoyed in Europe that has benefitted the United States is going to be lost.”

On Tuesday afternoon, the Biden Administration announced what it called the first round of sanctions against Russia. The sanctions target Russian financial institutions as well as Russian oligarchs, a tactic Graham suggested Monday.

Graham said that the oligarchs are “Putin’s partners in crime,” and they should be punished by taking away “their yachts, luxury apartments, and their assets.”

The Biden Administration also coordinated with European allies like Germany, which put on hold the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Graham agreed with the decision to target the Russian oil and gas sector, referring to Russia as “a gas station masquerading as a nation.”

While he criticized the Biden Administration’s “minimalist” approach thus far to deterring Russia, he said that the severity of the issue requires bipartisan action, noting that if something isn’t done, “we’re gonna live in some of the most dangerous times since World War II.”

Graham reiterated that he and many other republicans stand “ready, willing, and able to work with the Biden Administration to impose the most crushing sanctions possible on the Russian economy.”

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