Sen. Graham: Russia prisoner exchange 'absolutely' helps Putin

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized the Biden administration's prisoner swap with Russia. Graham said the exchange "absolutely" helps Russian President Vladimir Putin and encourages the false arrest of Americans.

Graham delivered his criticisms on Sunday in an interview with Fox's Jacqui Heinrich, The Hill reported.

"We've got a cycle here. You have trumped up charges against Americans," Graham said."You accused them of things they didn’t do. You put them in jail, and you only release them when we have to release Russian spies and killers. This cycle needs to stop."

The prisoner exchange saw Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan swapped for Russian hitman Vadim Krasikov and accused spies.

Germans also held in Russia were released in what "was the largest swap since the end of the Cold War."

Graham called the exchange a "sign of weakness" that rewards "thugs like Putin."