Latest news with #Graham
New York Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Senate will move forward with Russia sanctions bill, Sen. Lindsey Graham says
WASHINGTON — The Senate will 'start moving' on a bill imposing more sanctions on the Kremlin following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said. 'I would expect next week that the Senate will start moving the sanctions bill,' Graham, an ally of President Trump but also a firm backer of Ukraine's war efforts, said Friday, according to The Kyiv Independent. 'There are House members that are ready to move in the House, and you'll see congressional action,' he added. 'President Trump said that the next two-week period will be outcome-determined.' The bipartisan meeting with Ukraine's leader included Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who like Graham supports the legislation applying a 500% tariff on Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products. Neither sits on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee where the bill, which has racked up at least 80 co-sponsors, is currently under consideration. 3 Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Friday the upper chamber will 'start moving' on a bill imposing more sanctions on the Kremlin following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock At least 82 senators are prepared to vote for it if it heads to the Senate floor, Graham told the outlet. 'I've never been more optimistic than I am today,' he added, when asked whether Trump would sign it. 'Russia faces a stark choice: peace or crippling sanctions,' Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said in a Senate floor speech on May 20. 'President Trump has spoken forcefully of swift, severe consequences if Russia fails to honor a ceasefire.' On June 2, delegations from Russia and Ukraine had been expected to meet for talks in Istanbul — but Graham said he doesn't have 'any hope at all that Russia is interested in peace' given drone strikes in Ukraine that killed more than a dozen civilians on May 25. 3 President Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky clashed in the Oval Office last month after Ukraine's leader protested that the US wasn't providing it with enough security guarantees to ward off Russia. AFP via Getty Images It was the largest aerial bombardment in the war to date, with 355 drones and nine cruise missiles being unleashed. Trump — who promised to end the war 'on day one' of his second presidential term — slammed Putin as 'absolutely crazy' following the strikes, but stopped short of announcing tougher sanctions on the regime despite having threatened them earlier this month. 'Russia is playing a game at the expense of the world, not just the United States,' Graham said, noting how oil from Moscow is prolonging the war by being sold to China and India. Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that curtailing NATO expansion from the West, relaxing sanctions and official recognition of Ukraine's neutral status are redlines for him in peace talks. 3 Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that curtailing NATO expansion from the West, relaxing sanctions and official recognition of Ukraine's neutral status are redlines for him in the discussions. AP The Kremlin was not targeted with 10% baseline global tariffs as part of Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement in April, though the White House indicated previous sanctions made it irrelevant. European leaders have already slapped sanctions on Russia over Putin's refusal to accept a US-backed cease-fire deal. 'It's clear to almost anyone — Putin is not remotely interested in anything that would lead to peace,' Graham added. 'So there's a card game going on this summer. The first cards are going to be played by the United States Senate and the House.' Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) backs stricter sanctions, and Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) also suggested last week that the US should also send 'more lethal weapons' to Ukraine. 'If Ukraine falls, it will always be known in the history books that it happened with Trump doing little to help Ukraine defend themselves with the means we have available,' Bacon said.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's enduring cyber defense: Assessing resilience and impact of shifting international support
From my vantage point, having recently attended the Kyiv International Cyber Resilience Forum (KICRF) and witnessing firsthand the unwavering determination in the face of relentless digital aggression, the situation unfolding in Ukraine's cyber domain demands our unvarnished attention. The situation in Ukraine's cyber domain is not merely a theoretical exercise in network security; it directly impacts national sovereignty and societal resilience. What I observed in Kyiv was a nation locked in a persistent cyber struggle, primarily against the Kremlin's digital legions — The Federal Security Service (FSB), Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) and the Russian criminal actors — now further complicated by a significant shift in the international support landscape. The U.S. government appears to be withdrawing from the cybersecurity battlefield as evidenced by its wholesale reduction in personnel within key government entities, including the Critical Infrastructure Security Agency, and directives from administration leadership not to have national resources focus on Russian cyber activities. In addition to this, the unexpected closure of the USAID mission in Ukraine, leading to the reduction of support to Ukraine's ongoing cybersecurity efforts, casts a long shadow over Kyiv's digital defenses. This was further highlighted by the palpable concerns expressed during the KICRF and the embarrassing and inexplicable absence of U.S. government participation. The Russian attacks on Ukraine are multifaceted, targeting critical infrastructure — power grids, telecom networks, the financial system — to inflict maximum disruption, all designed to erode public confidence. One cannot forget that intelligence gathering remains a constant, insidious undertow. Add to that the weaponization of information and the relentless campaigns to pollute the information space, erode trust, and undermine Ukraine's narrative globally. Read also: Senate to 'start moving' Russia sanctions bill next week, Graham says Then we have the repeated deployment of wiper malware — digital scorched earth tactics — underscoring the destructive intent. And while ransomware may have a profit motive, its impact on essential services amplifies the overall vulnerability. Ukraine possesses a cadre of highly skilled cyber professionals, both within government agencies and the private sector, individuals who are actively engaged in the digital war. However, amid this digital maelstrom, Ukraine demonstrates remarkable resilience and adaptability that demands significant attention and admiration. This is not a nation caught entirely off guard. Years of Russian aggression in the Donbas, the annexation of Crimea, and the 2015 attack on Ukraine's power grid all served as a training ground, forcing Kyiv to harden its digital defenses. Crucially, the steady hand of international assistance — governments pooling resources through mechanisms like the Tallinn Accord, the strategic guidance of entities like the EU and NATO, and the often-unsung contributions of private sector cyber defenders — has provided a vital lifeline of expertise, technology, and funding. And let me be clear, Ukraine possesses a cadre of highly skilled cyber professionals, both within government agencies and the private sector, individuals who are actively engaged in the digital war. Their agility, their ability to adapt to evolving threats in real-time, is a testament to their resolve. As we have seen, this adaptability and teamwork are foundational to their cyber resilience. However, the cessation of USAID's programs, which included significant initiatives in cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and digital transformation — areas where sustained support is paramount — injects a new and unwelcome element of uncertainty. The loss of this funding stream will undoubtedly create gaps in Ukraine's ability to modernize its defenses, train its personnel, and implement crucial security measures. The growing dependence on other international partners intensifies, placing greater pressure on those who remain dedicated to upholding Ukraine's digital sovereignty. This is where the global cyber ecosystem — both commercial and governmental, now operating with one less major player — faces a starker choice: stand by and watch the digital defenses fray or step into the breach with even greater resolve. For Ukrainian tech companies, this is not just a crisis; it is an even more urgent imperative to innovate under pressure. The demand for tailored cybersecurity solutions — threat intelligence platforms with local context, rapid incident response capabilities, and secure communication channels designed for a hostile environment — is now amplified. Investing in the next generation of cyber defenders through robust training and education programs is paramount. Strategic alliances with trusted international partners are no longer a luxury; they are a necessity for accelerated technology and knowledge transfer. For international companies, the call to action is now imbued with a greater sense of urgency. Providing Ukraine with access to the sharpest cyber tools — AI-driven threat detection, advanced endpoint protection, resilient cloud infrastructure — isn't just good PR; it is a strategic necessity to compensate for the receding U.S. presence. Investing in Ukraine's tech sector, establishing a local footprint, or forging genuine partnerships contributes to long-term stability and fills a growing void. More is needed to offset the USAID withdrawal. Read also: Russia 'testing' Europe's capacity to help Ukraine by intensifying air attacks The timely sharing of actionable threat intelligence is a cornerstone of the collective digital defense, now even more critical with potentially reduced intelligence sharing through formal U.S. channels. Supporting and contributing to cybersecurity education initiatives helps build a sustainable talent pipeline, which is crucial in light of potential limitations in U.S.-funded programs. Engaging in meaningful public-private partnerships and leveraging the unique strengths of all stakeholders are the only ways to build truly resilient defenses in this evolving landscape. Russia's cyber activity knows no geographic boundary. We must reject the notion that Russia's illegal war targets only Ukraine; Russia is at war with everyone. This is not about charity; it is about safeguarding the integrity of the global digital commons in the face of a persistent and emboldened adversary whose digital reach extends far beyond the physical borders of Ukraine. The imperative — and the heightened responsibility – to act decisively is now upon us. The unexpected withdrawal of a major player, the United States, only amplifies the urgency for others to step forward and fill the digital breach, recognizing that the digital front line in Ukraine is a frontline for us all. Submit an Opinion Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bin strike deal offer watered down, says union
A deal offered to striking bin workers in Birmingham has been watered down, their union claims. Unite has called for further negotiations with the city council after a "ball park" proposal discussed at talks with conciliation service Acas had been revised "by government commissioners and the council leader". An all-out strike in the city is now in its third month, after staff walked out on 11 March over plans to downgrade some roles, which the union says could cost workers £8,000 a year. Birmingham City Council has been approached for a response over the current deal it is offering. Talks between the Labour-run council and Unite have been taking place with the conciliation service since the start of May, after previous negotiations to resolve the strike ended without a solution. The union's latest statement accuses the authority of missing deadlines on the proposals which had been tabled on Friday evening. "After weeks and weeks of saying one thing in public and another to workers, the government commissioners finally allow a proposal to be put on the table," said Unite's General Secretary Sharon Graham. She said the offer had been watered down by the council leader and government commissioners "who were not in the negotiating room". Ms Graham said the offer would be discussed with reps over the weekend and a detailed response would be issued ahead of a reconvened Acas meeting. "The actual decision makers now need to be in the room at the further ACAS talks," she said. A court order preventing striking workers from delaying bin lorries leaving depots in the city will continue indefinitely, it was confirmed on Thursday. The union said it was preparing to challenge the injunction, but said it agreed to abide by the law on picketing. On 23 May, when the injunction was granted, the city council said disruption at depots had led to a backlog of up to 12,800 tonnes of waste. Police recently scaled down their presence on picket lines, where they had been helping to ensure bin trucks could get out of the depots, to prevent waste piling up on city streets. The West Midlands force withdrew after stating the issues did "not meet the threshold" to impose powers under Section 14 of the Public Order Act. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Bin strike picket court order to continue indefinitely Council gets court order over bin lorry blocking Union blames council for lack of bin strike deal Why are Birmingham bin workers on strike? Birmingham City Council Unite the Union
Egypt Independent
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
US senators meet with Zelensky in Kyiv as doubt cast over upcoming Ukraine-Russia peace talks
CNN — A bipartisan pair of US senators met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday and urged stronger sanctions against Russia, while uncertainty swirls over whether the next round of peace talks will move ahead in the coming days. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut met with Zelensky and other top Ukrainian officials in the capital. Their visit came just days after Russia launched its biggest aerial assault against Ukraine since the start of the war, and as the US ramps up pressure on Moscow to end the three-year conflict. Among the topics discussed were the ongoing peace talks and proposed legislation to strengthen US sanctions against Russia, according to a statement from the Ukrainian presidential office. Graham and Blumenthal are co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill to impose more sanctions on Russia – a notion that has gained support among a number of Republican lawmakers in recent weeks as Moscow steps up its deadly aerial assaults. Graham said lawmakers would move forward next week with a vote on the bill, the Reuters news agency reported. The bill is supported by 82 senators from both sides of the aisle and would impose a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products. It must pass both chambers of Congress and be approved by President Donald Trump to become law. Trump has so far held off on imposing more sanctions as he tries to negotiate a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. However, he has threatened in the past to impose the measures if Russia doesn't agree to a truce. Asked by reporters on Friday if he would support the bill, Trump responded: 'I don't know, I'll have to see it. I'll take a look at it.' Graham said Friday he had talked with Trump before his trip and the US president expects 'concrete action' from Moscow, according to Reuters. The visit comes as Ukrainian officials raised questions about planned peace talks in Istanbul on Monday – as they say Russia has yet to send its negotiating proposals, a key demand of Kyiv's. 'For a meeting to be meaningful, its agenda must be clear, and the negotiations must be properly prepared,' Zelensky wrote on X on Friday after hosting Turkey's foreign minister for talks in Kyiv. Zelensky also said he spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, writing on Telegram: 'We share the view that this meeting cannot and should not be empty.' 'Neither we in Ukraine nor Turkey as the host side have any information about Russia's so-called memorandum,' he said in his evening address, accusing Russia of 'hiding' its memorandum from both countries. Ukraine has already provided its own version of a peace memorandum, officials say. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow would present its memorandum during the next round of talks. Sen. Lindsey Graham (center) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (right) speak during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 30, 2025. Vasilisa Stepanenko/AP Zelensky said he and his Turkish counterpart also spoke about the possibility of organizing a four-way meeting with the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and the United States to further facilitate peace negotiations. In recent weeks, the US president has become visibly frustrated with Russia over its deadly attacks on Ukraine and the lack of progress on peace talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed holding 'direct talks' in Turkey earlier this month – but never showed up, despite Zelensky agreeing to meet. In the end, the two nations sent low-level delegations to negotiate instead. A large-scale prisoner exchange, the biggest since the start of the war, was the only significant outcome, with both sides agreeing to release 1,000 prisoners on each side – but it was overshadowed by ongoing Russian attacks at the same time. Trump voiced frustration with Putin at the time, saying: 'We're in the middle of talking, and he's shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities.'
The Herald Scotland
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Mark Wilson on landing Partick Thistle role and Brian Graham's future
Wilson, who previously served as Under-18s manager at Firhill, was offered the job after Graham turned down the position, bringing Thistle's protracted search for Doolan's successor to a close. He is the first head coach appointed by sporting director Ian Baraclough – who spent yesterday getting married - and while he accepts that the length of the hunt left some supporters feeling a little antsy, he believes the club board took the correct steps during the interview process. Wilson said: 'Well, quite often it's the case, when it's a new managerial hunt at any club, people think they're getting Ancelotti, don't they, at every turn? And they quite often don't - and certainly in this case, they haven't! 'But I'm comfortable with how the perception was going to be. I've got broad shoulders enough to carry the pressure, what the expectation level was to where we are now. The one thing I can say is that the board and the club have went through a thorough process with some great candidates, and it was up to them to decide. 'I had a fortunate live interview process for three months that people saw me at the club working on the pitch, and they saw me working behind the scenes. That's the best tell for anybody. 'My message would be to support what's happened here, even though it's taken a bit longer than usual. But we're here now, we've got an appointment, and myself, the backroom team, I'm sure, will be announced in the coming weeks. 'And it's about supporting the team because this club has got a huge support, a huge fanbase that are colourful and can bring the best out of the team. We saw a glimpse of that at the tail end of the season, and I want to experience more of that going forward.' Wilson added: 'It's a huge honour, of course, just because of the stature of the club. That's definitely not lost on me - the size of this job, and how fortunate it is that an opportunity presented itself to me. 'So it means everything to me because there's very few jobs that hold this level of support in Scotland outwith the top flight. And it's certainly a club that would be comfortable in the top flight, but there's a lot of work to do in the meantime to get there.' Top of Wilson's in-tray will be the future of Graham. The Championship's top scorer for the previous two seasons, the 37-year-old – who scored his 100th Thistle goal against Ayr United in the play-offs – made no secret of his desire to land the job permanently, going as far as to claim that he would perhaps have to leave Firhill if the board went in a different direction. The club captain's contract still has one year left to run, and Wilson would like to see him remain at the club – but he insists the decision is Graham's to make. 'The ball's in Brian's court,' he explained. 'It's a slightly awkward one because Brian does have a year left in his contract. 'Brian's a good mate of mine. We've been through a lot together, played together, we came through this period together, and we still remain on great terms. So time will tell on that. 'One thing I will say, Brian's been a legend for this club. A hundred goals, he's carried this club, or his contribution has certainly helped this club reach the heights that they have done in previous years, and that will never be forgotten. 'And that's a decision for Brian to make, and I'm sure that will become clearer when you speak to the guys on the board, and the chairman, and Brian himself. But for me, if Brian still has a playing contract, I would certainly look to get the best out of him, and we'll see what happens.' Mark Wilson (Image: Colin Mearns) Of he and Graham's application process, Wilson added: 'Both of us were asked to help the club out in that short period of time. The club obviously then went through a process that they were wanting to take a bit more time, and of course, with what we were doing in and around the club, I think they could see that we certainly knew what we were doing together as a team. 'Once it got to the end of the season, there was certainly an appetite, I think, from both of us to continue this journey, and the club clearly saw that. So both of us were put through the same interview process as any other candidate, and I think everybody understood what happened next in that process. 'The club took their time with it, Brian certainly took his time with it, and it fell to me to then take up the opportunity. And it certainly wasn't going to be an opportunity that I passed up. I'm well aware of the size of this club, and these opportunities don't come around too often.' Wilson, who has previously had unsuccessful managerial stints at Airdrieonians and Brechin City, will be putting his radio appearances on Clyde1 Superscoreboard to one side now that he has landed the top job at Firhill. After spending some time away from first-team management – Wilson was dismissed from his post at Brechin in 2020 – the former Dundee United man is now back in the limelight, and he insists he always had hope of returning to the senior game. 'Without a doubt,' he explains. 'The drive was always there, but I specifically made a choice to go back to under-18 football. Coming out of Airdrie and Brechin, and having different experiences as a head coach and as a manager at Brechin, I thought it was time to kind of re-educate myself, and take a bit of time, rather than chasing results in your job - to go back and just take a bit of time in the coaching aspect, and figure out what's right and what's wrong. 'Partick Thistle offered me that opportunity, and I enjoyed my time [as Under-18s manager], a year and a half. And within that I got a little taste of going in and dipping into first team and reserve games. 'So when the opportunity came around to go in and help this first team over a tricky period, then of course I took it. But once you're in there, you get a real taste for it again. 'I'm working with a group of players who, I don't think it's being disrespectful to the other clubs, are a step above what I was working with there. The message gets across quicker, and you see better results and quicker results. 'So that drives you on and focuses you on where you actually want to be. I've loved my time at Partick Thistle academy and in youth football. But certainly first-team football, where I want to be about.' Mark Wilson (Image: Colin Mearns) Wilson continued: 'I think everybody around the club was aware of the volume of work I was getting through with the first team and the under-18 squad. So it was long days, starting at half seven in the morning, finishing at eight o'clock at night, with the occasional radio shift in there as well. Because it was incredibly fortunate, when you find yourself out the game, that you've got a great company to keep you involved in football. 'So I loved that side of it, I did love that side of it. It was long weeks for those 15 weeks, but I was certainly never afraid of that, and I love doing that. This just presents an opportunity. 'The workload's going to be great within this. I still want to keep a real grasp of the academy as well - it just means I won't be taking the under-18 team when the games come about but that's fine. That's what this club needs - it needs a bridge between the academy players and the first team, and I hope I can give that.' As for Wilson's objective at Thistle? Promotion, he says, has to be the ultimate goal. He admits that the rest of the second tier will hold similar ambitions, and he is fully aware of the scale of the task that awaits. 'Every team in this league, if they've not got that [promotion] in their mind, it would be silly,' Wilson noted. 'But we're under no illusions of how difficult that's going to be this year. It's proved difficult even with a really strong budget, it really has, and you've seen that in previous years from other teams. 'Now you've got two teams coming down from the Premiership, you've got a Dunfermline side who are going to be heavily backed with Neil Lennon in, and you've got Ayr United who will throw everything at it. And that's not to discount any of the other teams, and Morton and Airdrie and ourselves. 'So it's going to be a really competitive league, I would love to take this club up, but there's got to be an element of realism. That will come out in the wash really before a ball is kicked, and how we look as a squad, compared to how others look. 'It's all about smart recruitment, it's not about spending the most money. And if we do our recruitment right, with Lee Turnbull and Ian Baraclough and myself, then we've got every opportunity of having a successful season.' Baraclough will be on his honeymoon for the next 10 days, but the former Motherwell boss will have his phone switched on and will be available to conduct club business during that period to aid Thistle's pre-season preparations. Wilson has had some talks with the board about the resources that will be made available to him this summer, although he stresses that the Jags will not be embarking upon a spending spree right away. 'Well that's going to take a bit of time,' he explained. 'The club had to go through a lengthy process to get to this point, and obviously the appointment of head coach was going to be the most important one at this period. 'So I'm well aware of what's in the building. I'm aware of what it looks like and how things are going to look in comparison to other years. There's a bit of change in the landscape in that, the club maybe has a different vision from what was the previous years. 'That's why you see the structure has changed, firstly with Ian Baraclough coming in as the sporting director. It was always going to be a head coach and not a manager. So I know what we've go. I know certain things that we need to do, but summer is always so difficult, as any transfer window is, and it might be a slow burner. 'There's no point hiding that. As it is for every club, but obviously we want to do our recruitment as soon as possible - but we also have to be patient within that.' Wilson continued: '[Ian] is an incredibly busy man at the minute, but that's where the whole structure of the sporting director comes in. That's the whole beauty. 'I've worked under those parameters before, and I've got to say I'm pretty comfortable with that - that the head coach coaches the players, the tactics, the identity of the team. 'The recruitment of players - along with the sporting director and the head of recruitment - and the budget, and the finances, and the contract negotiations, falls to the sporting director and the board. That's how this was put to me, how it was going to work. I was delighted with that.'
