Key facts
- US Senator Lindsey Graham died on Saturday evening at age 71.
- Graham was a Republican from South Carolina and a staunch ally of President Donald Trump.
- He was a strong supporter of Israel and advocated for military intervention against Iran.
- Graham strongly advocated for sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine.
- Condolences were shared by numerous political figures, including Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and a prominent conservative figure known for his staunch support of Israel and advocacy for interventionist foreign policy, died Saturday evening at the age of 71 after a brief illness. His office announced his passing on Sunday.
Graham, first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 and to the Senate in 2002, was a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. He recently returned from a visit to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and advocated for increased U.S. military assistance to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, expressed their condolences, with von der Leyen noting Graham's fight to support Ukraine's freedom and raise the cost of Russia's war. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and the head of his presidential office also mourned the loss of a "true friend."
Israeli political figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, also shared tributes, calling Graham a dear friend and strong supporter of Israel. Graham had been a vocal advocate for military action against Iran and had previously drawn criticism for his remarks on the Middle East and his stance on Saudi Arabia.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also expressed his shock and sadness at Graham's death.