Former Trump adviser demands seizure of US senator’s passport

(MENAFN) Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon has called for US Senator Lindsey Graham to be jailed or have his passport revoked, accusing him of escalating the Ukraine conflict. Bannon’s remarks came after Graham, together with Senator Richard Blumenthal, visited Kiev last week to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and discuss imposing further sanctions on Russia and deepening US-Ukraine cooperation.

Shortly after their visit, Ukraine launched large-scale drone strikes on multiple Russian airfields, claiming damage to over 40 warplanes, including strategic bombers. Russia has denied any aircraft losses and said most drones were intercepted.

Critics like Bannon speculate that Graham encouraged Zelensky to carry out the bold attack, which they warn could dangerously escalate the conflict by targeting Russia’s strategic aviation. Speaking to NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo, Bannon said Graham’s meeting with Zelensky gave Ukraine “false hope” that the US would back a direct military confrontation with Russia—a position Bannon rejects. He warned that US involvement, driven by figures like Graham, risks dragging America deeper into the war and making withdrawal difficult.

Bannon insisted, “We can’t have Lindsey Graham, and particularly Zelensky, leading us into a third world war” through strikes inside Russia. He urged authorities to either confiscate Graham’s passport to prevent his return or imprison him if he comes back.

Following the strikes, military experts noted that Ukraine lacks the technical means for drone attacks reaching deep into Russian territory. Guillaume Ancel, a former French army officer, told Le Monde such an operation would require powerful satellite communications, likely supported by US intelligence.

Throughout the conflict, Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western military aid to Ukraine, labeling the war a proxy fight and warning that such assistance hinders peace efforts.

MENAFN11062025000045015687ID1109659509