Russia has issued an arrest warrant for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) after a video emerged of the Republican senator gloating that “Russians are dying” during his trip to Ukraine.
During Graham’s recent trip to Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
While speaking with Zelensky and Ukraine’s top officials, Graham made remarks that sparked outrage in Russia.
According to an edited video of the remarks circulating on social media, Graham was speaking with Zelensky about U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
Graham boasted that “the Russians are dying” before adding that U.S. aid to Ukraine was “the best money we’ve ever spent.”
According to Reuters, the video sparked criticism from Russian government officials as well as criminal proceedings.
Russia argues that the video suggests that Graham was pleased with Russian soldiers dying.
The warrant was issued by Russia’s Interior Ministry on Monday.
The Ministry also put out an additional announcement that a criminal investigation had been opened into Graham, according to Politico.
“I will wear the arrest warrant issued by Putin’s corrupt and immoral government as a Badge of Honor,” Graham responded on Twitter.
To know that my commitment to Ukraine has drawn the ire of Putin’s regime brings me immense joy.
I will continue to stand with and for Ukraine’s freedom until every Russian soldier is expelled from Ukrainian territory.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) May 29, 2023
“It’s hard to imagine a greater shame for the country than having such senators,” Kremlin spokesman Dimtry Peskov said, according to the Washington Post.
The Investigative Committee, Russia’s top criminal investigation agency, opened a criminal investigation into Graham’s remarks on Monday.
It is highly unlikely that Russia will be able to act on its arrest warrant.
The U.S. and Russia have no extradition treaty and international police cooperation between Russia and Western nations has largely ceased since the war in Ukraine began.
Graham added that he would submit to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court if Russia would agree to do the same.
“See you in The Hague,” he mocked.
