Transcript: Kevin Cramer on Ukraine, Russian Sanctions and Starshield
Cramer backs Russia sanctions
Asked about criticism from Republican senators over Trump’s decision to waive sanctions on Russia and buyers of Russian oil, Cramer said he hopes the pause will be short. He said he still supports full enforcement of the Lindsey Graham sanctions bill.
Cramer said European allies should stop buying Russian energy, which he said has helped fund Russia’s war machine. He argued that negotiations with dictators require treating adversaries differently from allies.
He also cited China’s Xi Jinping as a leader who, in his view, would continue making demands during negotiations. Cramer said the United States should not approach geopolitical talks as if they were business negotiations.
Proposals discussed with Zelenskyy
Cramer said he and Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, brought a proposal to Zelenskyy. According to Cramer, the Ukrainian president said he would stop attacks on Russian energy facilities if Ukraine gained targeting capabilities through Starshield.
Cramer said the proposed capability would let Ukraine target launch facilities deeper inside Russia. He also said Zelenskyy wanted the ability to jointly produce Patriot missile interceptors to defend against jet-powered drones and missiles.
Starlink and Ukraine’s defenses
Asked whether he supported an investigation into the interruption of Starlink service, Cramer said he wanted officials to establish what happened. He said restoring the service at full capacity and improving Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian launch facilities were more urgent.
Cramer said Zelenskyy had sought the ability to reach targets about 300 kilometers inside Russia. Brennan noted that Zelenskyy had said service was restored but throttled back, and that no Starshield expansion deal had been reached.
Dispute over beef imports
Brennan also raised Cramer’s earlier criticism of Trump’s decision to import foreign beef tariff-free. Cramer had called the policy wrongheaded, said it was not America first, and warned it threatened U.S. food production.
Brennan said the White House had not reversed course despite Cramer’s criticism. The transcript ends as she begins a follow-up question.
Key points
- Cramer said he hopes Trump will fully enforce the Lindsey Graham sanctions bill against Russia.
- He described proposals for Starshield access and joint production of Patriot missile interceptors.
- Cramer called restoring Ukraine’s communications capability and strengthening its defenses priorities.
- Brennan raised Cramer’s criticism of tariff-free foreign beef imports.