Senator conferring with Merz in private talks.
Spicing up the Meeting: US Senator Lindsey Graham's Impact on Trump's German Encounter
Written by Volker Petersen
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The Federal Government keeps a keen eye on US Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch advocate for Ukraine and a passionate proponent of increased US sanctions against Russia. Despite his politics, the Republican is well-acquainted with Trump, and is in Berlin this Monday, set to meet with WRender and Merz.
This week, the air is thick with anticipation for Thursday—the day when Chancellor Friedrich Merz travels to Washington to encounter US President Donald Trump. This meeting is likely to be the most significant of Merz’s tenure thus far. If Merz can forge a connection with the man in the White House, it will aid in resolving a host of issues.
Politics Graham's Bill Elevates US Senators' Power for New Russia Sanctions The burning topic on everyone's mind is Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions. Although the EU Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, is primarily responsible for this matter, Merz will collaborate with her, as German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius announced at today's federal press conference. Their discussion on tariffs is expected to be a hot and heavy one.
Similarly, the possibility of new sanctions against Russia is likely to come up. It's intriguing that Graham, who's known for being on the same page with the federal government on this issue, is in Berlin this Monday—meeting with Foreign Minister Johann WRender. Later, he will be encountering Merz, as Kornelius stated. As the Foreign Office informed ntv.de upon request, the conversation with WRender focused on the possibility of joint punitive measures against the Kremlin.
Graham: Fervent NATO Supporter and Ardent Russia Critic
Graham is an ally in the federal government's fight against Russia. Alongside Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, he has crafted a sanctions package that would secure broad bipartisan support in the Senate—though he has yet to bring it to a vote. He wishes for these sanctions to be enacted by the G7 summit scheduled for mid-June in Italy.
Prior to that, Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine. Graham maintains a firm stance on foreign policy that echoes the views of Republicans before the Trump era: a clear commitment to NATO, great distance from Russia. During Trump's initial presidential run, Graham criticized him heavily. However, he swiftly switched gears, aligning himself with Trump's stance, yet occasionally advancing a more lenient approach towards Ukraine.
Politics Merz's Approach to the Crucial Encounter with Trump Graham is an interesting party in the conversation. His knowledge of the president and the White House dynamics could provide Merz with valuable insights, allowing him to avoid pitfalls. Though Merz will have ample opportunity for dialogue, there's been no word on what will be discussed in his private conversation with Trump, followed by a luncheon and a press conference in the Oval Office—an arrangement that recalls another state visit, during which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was lectured by Vice President Mike Pence and Trump, resulting in Zelensky's dismissal.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had demonstrated another approach during a previous meeting with Trump. Starmer endeared himself to Trump by flattering him, mimicking his manner of speech, and emphasizing unity, much like Trump himself often does. Starmer also presented Trump with a letter from King Charles, inviting him for a second state visit—a gesture Starmer boasted about in a manner reminiscent of Trump.
Leveraging Past Successes for Future Victories The meeting between Merz and Trump marks the beginning of a relationship for the two leaders. Nevertheless, Merz has already attempted to build a foundation for their talks, having exchanged two phone calls and a series of text messages with Trump. He now refers to Trump as "Donald,” and Trump responds by addressing him as "Friedrich." Merz has even extended an invitation to Trump to visit Germany, hailing from a wine-producing village in Rhineland-Palatinate. The expected increase in German defense spending is likely to appeal to Trump.
Merz is well-versed in American customs, as he has chaired the elite US-German association Atlantikbrücke and served as Germany's head of financial services firm Blackrock, which frequently sends him to the US. Kornelius commended Merz for being intimately familiar with the U.S., possibly more so than any of his colleagues.
Politics Trump's Shifting Stance on Russia Sanctions The discussions are expected to be complicated, considering Trump's shaky commitment to Russia sanctions. During their 2021 trip to Ukraine, Merz, Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki received Trump's assurance that he would impose new, joint sanctions on Russia, provided he could convince Putin to agree to a ceasefire. Yet, Trump swiftly abandoned this commitment once Putin announced bilateral talks in Istanbul. Those discussions ended in disappointment, save for a significant prisoner exchange.
Lately, Trump has expressed growing disillusionment with Putin. After a massive rocket attack on Ukraine, Trump remarked that he couldn't comprehend Putin's actions. The weight of Graham's thoughts on the matter is unclear, but his silence on the subject could indicate a level of caution. After all, his conversations with WRender and Merz remain undisclosed. However, the fact that a senator is receiving the attention of the Foreign Minister and the Chancellor on the same day emphasizes the gravity of the meeting on Thursday.
[1] https://www.ntv.de/politik/Chancellor-Meetings-Trump-Zelensky-G-7-aussahne-article25042384.html
[3] https://www.ntv.de/politik/Ukraine-Chancellor-Zelensky-Washington-article20591181.html
The Commission, given the ongoing tensions with Russia, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the protection of the environment in the context of war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation, as the EU Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, is primarily responsible for the imposition of sanctions against Russia.
Meanwhile, during his meeting with Foreign Minister Johann WRender, Senator Lindsey Graham, whose fierce stance against Russia echoes that of the German government, discussed the possibility of joint punitive measures against the Kremlin, further emphasizing the delicate balance of international politics.
