The warrant was issued after a video released by Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office highlighted comments Graham made in a meeting Friday with the Ukrainian president.
MOSCOW — Russia’s Interior Ministry on Monday issued an arrest warrant for Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., following his comments about the fighting in Ukraine.
In an edited video of his meeting Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released by Zelenskyy’s office, Graham said “the Russians are dying” and described US military aid to the country as “the best money we have ever spend.”
While Graham appeared to make the remarks at different points in the conversation, the short video from the Ukrainian president’s office juxtaposed them, sparking outrage in Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Sunday that “it is hard to imagine a greater shame for the country than having such senators.”
The Commission of Inquiry, the country’s top criminal investigation agency, moved to launch a criminal investigation into Graham and the Home Office followed by issuing a warrant for his arrest, as indicated on Monday by the official wanted suspect file.
Graham is among more than 200 members of the US Congress banned from Russia by Moscow last year.
Graham commented on Twitter, saying that “knowing that my commitment to Ukraine has drawn the ire of the Putin regime brings me immense joy.”
“I will continue to be with and for the freedom of Ukraine until every Russian soldier is expelled from Ukrainian soil,” he tweeted. “I will wear the arrest warrant issued by Putin’s corrupt and immoral government as a Badge of Honor.
