In an edited video of Graham’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, released by Ukraine’s Presidential Office, the senator said “the Russians are dying.” He described US military aid to the country under Russian attack as “the best money we’ve ever spent.”
It appeared that Graham made the comments at different points in the conversation. However, in the video released by Ukraine, they fell in a row, which caused indignation in Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Sunday it was “hard to think of a greater shame for the country than having such senators.”
The Russian investigative committee launched a criminal investigation into the US Republican, which was followed by the release of the arrest warrant by the Interior Ministry on Monday. Graham is one of more than 200 US congressmen who were banned by Moscow from entering Russia last year.
The senator commented on the process. He is immensely pleased that he has drawn “the wrath of Putin’s regime” with his commitment to Ukraine. He will continue to stand up for Ukraine’s freedom until every Russian soldier has left the country, he said. He will wear the arrest warrant issued by “Putin’s corrupt and immoral government” as a badge of honour.
He does not expect to be tried by Russia any time soon, he tweeted. Senator Richard Blumenthal offered him legal representation. “My good friend,” Graham called the Democrat, who works “cheaply,” in his tweet.