This Monday Russia's Interior Ministry issued an arrest warrant for Republican Senator Lindsey Graham after he praised U.S. military aid to Ukraine and made comments about the war.
After Graham met in Kiev with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the senator acknowledged the "incredible" work Ukraine has done in fighting for its freedom against Russia and added that the "Russians are dying."
The senator also applauded U.S. support for Ukraine and even stated that military assistance is the "best money we’ve ever spent."
These comments were not to Russia's liking, as shortly thereafter the Russian Investigative Committee moved to open a criminal investigation against the U.S. senator on the grounds that Graham "declared the financial involvement of the United States is causing the death of Russian citizens." The Ministry of the Interior issued an arrest warrant against him.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham on his visit to Kyiv, talking with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy:
The Russians are dying.
It’s the best money we’ve ever spent. pic.twitter.com/gJ9IGZxaUP
— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 28, 2023
Graham reacts
Following Russia's decision, the senator posted on Twitter that he would wear "the arrest warrant issued by Putin’s corrupt and immoral government as a Badge of Honor. To know that my commitment to Ukraine has drawn the ire of Putin’s regime brings me immense joy." Graham also took the opportunity to confirm that he will continue to support and defend the freedom of Ukraine "until every Russian soldier is expelled from Ukrainian territory."
The senator ended his thread of posts by making an offer to the Russians who want to arrest him. "I will submit to jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court if you do. Come and make your best case. See you in The Hague!" he said.
Finally, here’s an offer to my Russian ‘friends’ who want to arrest and try me for calling out the Putin regime as being war criminals:
I will submit to jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court if you do.
Come and make your best case.
See you in The Hague!
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) May 29, 2023
