WASHINGTON D.C. (August 5, 2026) – In the context of foreign leaders visiting the White House, and remembering Senator Lindsey Graham and his commitment to Ukraine, McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas spoke with six news outlets to discuss the latest foreign policy news. Watch a roundup of appearances below.
Bloomberg Balance of Power: VIDEO: Graham Was a Key Voice for Ukraine: Farkas
McCain Institute’s Dr. Evelyn Farkas spoke on Bloomberg’s Balance of Power with Kailey Leinz and Joe Mathieu to discuss how economic pressure will impact the war in Ukraine and Iran, and Senator John McCain and Senator Lindsey Graham’s shared commitment to defending human rights and democracy in Ukraine.
CNN International: VIDEO: Netanyahu, Zelensky Attend Lindsey Graham Funeral
“Ukraine definitely seems to have the upper hand when it comes to momentum,” said McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas to CNN’s Max Foster. “Lindsey Graham stood side by side with John McCain…they understood clearly what this Russia was all about.”
NPR Morning Edition: AUDIO: Former Pentagon official on Trump’s meetings with the leaders of Ukraine and Israel
“If we can support Ukraine to weaken Russia — and essentially defeat Russia — either through sanctions or on the battlefield, or ideally a combination of both, then Russia won’t be able to support [their war in] Ukraine,” said Dr. Evelyn Farkas. “[Addressing Russia first] will help us in Iran, and it will help us deter China.”
The New York Times: READ: Behind Closed Doors, Trump Huddles With Netanyahu and Zelensky
In the past, Mr. Trump has seemed to relish pushing Mr. Zelensky around, particularly in an Oval Office meeting early last year that went so poorly that the president told the Ukrainian leader to leave. But as the war has dragged on, Mr. Zelensky has shown resilience and momentum, and Mr. Trump likes winners.
“President Putin will be waiting to see how long that lasts,” Evelyn Farkas, the executive director of the McCain Institute, said of the Russian leader.
Ms. Farkas, a former Obama administration deputy assistant secretary of defense who handled Russian policy, added: “Because President Trump isn’t known for his consistency when it comes to these kinds of negotiations.”
C-SPAN Ceasefire: VIDEO: Weakening Russia in Ukraine Will Reduce Its Capacity to Help Iran
“I think the short-term answer is [for the United States] to prioritize Ukraine…if we can take Russia out as an actor, they won’t be able to help Iran with intelligence or drone capabilities,” said McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas on C-SPAN Ceasefire.
CNN International: VIDEO: Zelensky warns 30K N. Korean troops to join Putin’s fight
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined CNN’s Jim Sciutto to discuss the continued collaboration between Russia and North Korea in Russia’s war on Ukraine.
MS NOW’s On the Line with Alicia Menendez: VIDEO: The priority is to make sure Russia doesn’t win in Ukraine
“[The United States] has priorities, and the priority is to make sure that Russia does not win in Ukraine,” said Dr. Evelyn Farkas, to MS NOW’s Alicia Menendez.
CNN International: VIDEO: Sec. Rubio: U.S. Will Try to Revive Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks
“There is no sign that Vladimir Putin is ready to compromise,” said McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas. “However, Ukraine has leverage and momentum…the Kremlin has acknowledged that Ukraine is making significant inroads when it comes to stopping Russia’s military momentum on the ground.”