Senator Kevin Cramer Pushes for Starshield Expansion Amid Ukraine War Strategy Debate
Senator Kevin Cramer discusses his proposal to expand Starshield access for Ukraine and critiques the administration's approach to foreign policy and trade.
POLICY WIRE — Bismarck, North Dakota — Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican representing North Dakota, addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the administration’s geopolitical strategy during a recent interview on Face the Nation. Cramer expressed strong disapproval of President Trump’s decision to waive sanctions on Russian oil, arguing that such concessions to Vladimir Putin only invite further aggression.
The senator emphasized that he remains a proponent of fully enforcing the Lindsey Graham sanctions bill. While acknowledging the political pressure surrounding diesel fuel costs ahead of the upcoming election, Cramer maintained that the current pause on sanctions should be temporary.
Regarding military support, Cramer detailed a proposal he presented to President Zelenskyy, developed alongside Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker. The plan suggests that Ukraine could halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in exchange for expanded access to the U.S. military’s Starshield program. This capability would allow Ukraine to target Russian launch facilities more effectively.
Zelenskyy also requested authorization to co-produce Patriot missile interceptors to bolster defenses against incoming drone and missile attacks. Cramer noted that he has discussed these initiatives with officials at the White House, the Department of War, and the State Department.
On the issue of potential technical interruptions to Starlink services, Cramer voiced support for a formal investigation to determine the source of the disruption. He stressed the importance of restoring full power to these systems to aid Ukraine’s defensive efforts.
Shifting to domestic policy, Cramer reiterated his opposition to the administration’s decision to allow tariff-free beef imports. He argued that the policy harms American ranchers by undermining market prices without providing relief to consumers at the grocery store. Despite these concerns, the senator predicted a strong Republican performance in North Dakota during the November elections.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
