Washington: US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies and an influential voice on American foreign policy, has died after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness”. He was 71.
Graham, who represented South Carolina in the Senate for more than two decades, was among the Republican Party’s most outspoken supporters of Ukraine in its war against Russia and a leading advocate of tougher sanctions on Moscow.
Despite a bitter rivalry with Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential campaign, he went on to become one of his closest political allies.
Graham was a vocal critic of India’s purchases of Russian oil amid the Ukraine war and repeatedly called for sanctions against countries, including India, buying Russian energy.
Earlier this year, Graham said Trump had “greenlit” a bipartisan legislation he had worked on for months that would authorise the US President to impose tariffs of up to 500 per cent on countries, including India, buying Russian oil.
He had earlier cited US tariffs on India as “a good example of how things can change” while claiming that New Delhi had dramatically reduced its purchases of Russian oil.
“Clearly, the pressure we’re applying to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to come to the peace table and stop massive attacks against Ukraine is not working. President Trump’s idea of going after Putin’s oil customers who prop up his war machine should be pursued with vigour by the US and Europe,” Graham had said.
His office announced his death in a statement posted on X.
“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, US Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” the statement said. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
Leaders of NATO allies, Ukraine and Israel paid tribute to US Senator Lindsey Graham as a friend, partner and advocate of trans-Atlantic relations on Sunday.
praising a figure who was a constant presence on the global foreign policy scene before and during the era of President Donald Trump. The Republican senator had visited Ukraine just before his death on Friday.
and announced an agreement on Friday with the Trump administration to move forward on a package of sanctions against Russia.
Later, President Trump said in a social media post: “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! Details and arrangements to follow. So sad!”
NBC News reported that Graham was scheduled to appear on its Meet the Press programme on Sunday following a recent visit to Ukraine, underscoring the suddenness of his death.
The BBC reported that Graham was working on a revised version of the Russia sanctions bill during his latest visit to Kyiv, saying it would give “tools to President Trump to end this war”.
