US Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71; met Zelenskyy in Kyiv the day before

Death announcement and Kyiv visit

Senator Lindsey Graham died on Saturday evening after a short and sudden illness, his office announced in a statement. The statement added that the family requests prayers and privacy during this difficult time. Graham was 71 years old. Just the day before, on Friday 10 July, the South Carolina Republican was in Kyiv for his tenth visit to wartime Ukraine. During a press conference in the capital, Graham said a White House-backed sanctions package against Russia had been agreed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, greeting him, offered birthday wishes (Graham was born 9 July 1955) and asked about his health. Graham replied he was "older, but not wiser."

Zelenskyy's reaction

Zelenskyy posted a tribute on Telegram, writing that he was deeply saddened by the news. He described Graham as a true defender of freedom and values that make the world safer. Zelenskyy noted that during the full-scale invasion, Graham visited Ukraine ten times and stood with the nation when it needed him most. The Ukrainian president said they remained in constant contact and that he would miss it greatly. In recent weeks, according to Zelenskyy, Graham had been working on important initiatives that could bring peace closer, particularly tightening sanctions on Russia. Zelenskyy also wrote that "America and the world have lost a decisive leader" and offered condolences to Graham's family and all who had the honour of working with him.

America and the world have lost a decisive leader. We extend our condolences to Lindsey's family, his loved ones, and all who had the honour of working with him.

European and Israeli tributes

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on social platforms that Graham "fought to the very end to support Ukraine's fight for freedom and to raise the costs of Russia's war of aggression." She added that the Republican senator worked tirelessly on tightening sanctions against Russia, cooperating with the European Union in the process. Von der Leyen described Graham as determined and fearless, concluding that he would be greatly missed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X that "Israel has lost one of its greatest friends" and that America has lost a great patriot, adding that for him personally it was the loss of a friend. Netanyahu stressed that Graham devoted his life to defending the US while understanding that Israel's security was inextricably linked to America's. President Isaac Herzog said Israel will never forget the support Graham provided during the state's most difficult moments. Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar and defence minister Israel Katz also issued condolences.

Senator Graham fought to the very end to support Ukraine's fight for freedom and to raise the costs of Russia's war of aggression.

Domestic political dimension

Graham had served in the US Senate since 2003, representing his home state of South Carolina. He was one of the most prominent Republican politicians dealing with international affairs, known for his close contacts with President Donald Trump. In 2015, Graham briefly sought the Republican presidential nomination and was initially a critic of Trump, but over time became one of his closest allies. His stance on foreign policy was consistently hawkish: he supported military action against Iran and opposed the nuclear deal concluded during Barack Obama's presidency, arguing it did not sufficiently prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Graham was also a staunch advocate of full and unconditional military support for Kyiv after the 2022 Russian invasion, repeatedly warning that failing to stop Putin in Ukraine would lead to further aggression against Moldova, the Baltic states and Poland.

If we don't stop Putin here, he will go further. Next will be Moldova, the Baltic states, and then Poland. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the 1930s.

Legislative legacy

In the weeks before his death, Graham was working on initiatives aimed at tightening sanctions on Russia, according to Zelenskyy's Telegram post. At Friday's Kyiv press conference, Graham confirmed that a sanctions package supported by the White House had been finalised. The senator was a frequent visitor to Central and Eastern Europe and to Poland, where he met with leaders across the political spectrum and repeatedly called for a permanent increase in US troop numbers on NATO's eastern flank and for strengthening military infrastructure there. Ukraine awarded Graham the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, third class in 2016, second class in 2023, and first class in 2025.