Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) sudden death reverberated across the globe on Sunday as world leaders reacted to the news.
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Graham died late Saturday night after a “brief and sudden illness,” according to his office. It is believed that Graham suffered from cardiac arrest before his death.
President Donald Trump described the late Senator as “one of the greatest people and Senators that I have ever known.”
Leaders of American-allied nations reacted to the news on Sunday, offering condolences to Graham’s family and colleagues. However, the mercurial senator’s death also sparked a more terse reaction from America’s enemies, particularly inside the Kremlin.
“He worked tirelessly to strengthen sanctions, in close coordination with the E.U.,” Ursula von der Leyen, the E.U. commission president, remembered in a post on X. “A determined and fearless leader. He will be deeply missed.”
“Throughout his career, he stood resolutely in defense of democracy and freedom, most recently and particularly with Ukraine and its people,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X. “I offer my condolences to Senator Graham’s family, friends, and all those who served alongside him.”
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, also thanked Graham for his staunch advocacy for Ukrainians defending their country against Russian aggression.
“We will always be especially grateful for the recognition of our people and words of admiration for the courage of Ukraine’s defenders,” Zelenskyy noted in a post on X. “America and the world have lost a determined leader.”
Graham’s death sparked a much different message inside Russia’s Kremlin and among the Putin regime’s propagandists, The Daily Beast reported.
Alexey Pushkov, a Russian lawmaker who represents Putin’s party, called Graham “bloodthirsty” in a Telegram post shortly after his death, according to the report.
Kremlin propagandist Sergei Mardan added that the Russian people “certainly won’t miss him,” the report added.
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