U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham died Saturday after returning from a trip to Ukraine and announcing an agreement with the Trump administration for new war sanctions on Russia.
The South Carolina Republican’s office said in a statement that Graham died Saturday evening of a “brief and sudden illness.”
Graham, 71, was an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. He was also a hawkish supporter of Ukraine and Israel. Graham supported U.S. military backing of Ukraine in the war with Russia after Moscow’s 2022 invasion.
He also supported the U.S., Israel war with Iran. Graham was vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Islamic regime in Iran.
Graham had just returned from a visit to Ukraine. He visited a drone factory there and announced he had reached a deal with the Trump administration for a new sanctions bill targeting Russia in the Ukraine war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he was “deeply saddened” by Graham’s death, nothing his recent visit to Ukraine.
“Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.
Trump also reacted to Graham’s sudden death.
“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!,” Trump said in a Truth Social.
Iranian state media celebrated Graham’s death Sunday. Iran has also threatened to assassinate Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,” Netanyahu said Sunday, regarding Graham’s passing.
Graham served in the U.S. Senate since 2003. He was a judge advocate general in the U.S. Air Force and received the Bronze Star for his U.S. military service.
On Friday, Graham announced he and a bipartisan group of senators had reached an agreement with Trump on new war sanctions on Russia.
“We are proud to announce that we have reached an agreement with the Trump Administration to move our updated Russia sanctions legislation forward. We are very pleased with this significant progress and expect to roll out the legislation very soon. As Russia intensifies its slaughter of civilians, it is imperative that the legislative and executive branches work together to create tools to exact a heavy price on those who buy Russian oil and natural gas, fueling the Putin war machine,” Graham said,
On Saturday, the U.S, senator was dead.