US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has died following a brief and sudden illness.
His office released a statement confirming his passing on Saturday evening, and thanked everyone for prayers, while also requesting privacy for the family during this difficult time.
Graham was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and was one of Washington’s most influential voices on foreign policy, having served as the Senate Budget Committee chair. He also built a reputation as a staunch supporter of U.S. aid to Ukraine.
The senator had just returned from Kyiv, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, and there were no known health concerns before the trip.
In a social‑media homage, former President Donald Trump called Graham a "true American Patriot." Despite past clashes, Graham was one of Trump’s closest supporters during his presidency.
Graham’s work on Russia sanctions was a key focus of his recent Ukrainian visit, aiming to give lawmakers the tools to push for an end to the war. He has repeatedly warned that a weakening stance in Ukraine could lead to consequences in places like Taiwan.
His death marks the loss of a seasoned lawmaker, diplomatic voice, and a prominent figure in American politics whose career spanned decades of intra-party shifts and global engagement.
