Russia has escalated tensions with the issuance of an arrest warrant for South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. The warrant comes in response to a video released by the Ukrainian presidential office, where Graham appeared to celebrate American funding for actions that resulted in the alleged killing of Russians in Ukraine.
According to the Russian Interior Ministry, Graham has been placed on the country’s wanted list, following an investigation led by prominent Russian investigator Alexander Bastrykin.
In the video, Graham is seen expressing gratitude for U.S. military aid to Ukraine, proclaiming it to be “the best money we’ve ever spent.” He also made remarks about Russian casualties in the conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned Graham’s statements, calling them a source of national embarrassment. The Russian Foreign Ministry echoed this sentiment, dismissing any attempts to explain the context of Graham’s comments as a feeble excuse.
However, a longer version of the video released by Reuters reveals that Graham’s remarks were disjointed and lacked a clear connection. Initially, he praised American support for Ukraine’s struggle against the Russian invasion, emphasizing the shared pursuit of freedom. Later, when the subject of Russian casualties arose, Graham mentioned, “The Russians are dying.”
Rather than being discouraged by the arrest warrant, Graham embraced it as a symbol of honor. In a defiant statement, he expressed pride in knowing that his support for Ukraine had drawn the ire of Putin’s regime. He pledged to wear the warrant issued by the “corrupt and immoral government” as a testament to his unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s freedom. Graham vowed to continue advocating for Ukraine until every Russian soldier withdraws from Ukrainian soil.
In a surprising turn, Graham extended an invitation to Putin, referencing the International Criminal Court’s arrest order for the Russian president over alleged war crimes committed during the Ukraine invasion. He challenged Putin to present the case before the ICC, offering to willingly submit to its jurisdiction. Graham sarcastically invited Putin to present his arguments, suggesting a meeting in The Hague to settle the matter.
The arrest warrant for Graham has further strained diplomatic relations between the United States and Russia. As the situation unfolds, Senator Lindsey Graham remains undeterred, proudly standing by his support for Ukraine and his vocal opposition to Russian actions.