Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) isn’t worried about a warrant for his arrest issued by the Russian government following the release of a video featuring clips of his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Good news: While I don’t expect to be tried by Russia anytime soon, I found the services of a great lawyer who works cheap. Sen. Blumenthal, my good friend from Connecticut who has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, has offered to be my lawyer,” said Graham of the Democratic lawmaker in a Monday tweet. “Bad news: like every other dissident voice, I dont like my chances of getting a fair trial. Stay tuned.”
According to reports from the Associated Press and the BBC, Russia’s Interior Ministry issued the arrest warrant Monday. A day before, Zelenskyy posted an edited video of Graham’s visit to Ukraine on his Facebook page.
“I am grateful to Lindsey Graham for the meeting, unflagging position and contribution to bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities,” said the Ukrainian president’s caption. “I am grateful to the entire American society, President [Joe] Biden, and the U.S. Congress for their strong bipartisan and bicameral support of Ukraine. We appreciate this assistance. We know that from the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, we have had full support, which is very important. We are very grateful for this.”
Russia began an invasion of Ukraine last February. As of May 21, nearly 9,000 civilians have been killed due to Russian attacks, according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights. These attacks continue, as Zelenskyy explained in another recent video.
Prior to the recent invasion, Russia unlawfully seized Crimea in 2014. The U.S. has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in aid over the past nine years and aid ramped up over the past year.
“I thank President Biden and the entire American people for their strong support of Ukraine from the very beginning of Russian aggression,” said Zelenskyy this week. “We appreciate the bicameral and bipartisan support of the U.S. Congress.”
In the video with Zelenskyy, Graham can be heard saying, “the Russians are dying” and he said “the best money we’ve ever spent.”
Both the AP and BBC noted that these clips were edited together but appeared to be from different parts of the conversation between Zelenskyy and Graham. This edit has been “causing outrage in Russia,” said the AP.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters “it’s hard to imagine a greater shame for the country than having such senators.”
However, Graham – who previously urged Biden to shoot down Russian President Vladimir Putin’s airplanes – said he is proud to make Moscow angry.
“I will wear the arrest warrant issued by Putin’s corrupt and immoral government as a Badge of Honor,” he said in a Monday tweet. “To know that my commitment to Ukraine has drawn the ire of Putin’s regime brings me immense joy. I will continue to stand with and for Ukraine’s freedom until every Russian soldier is expelled from Ukrainian territory.”
Graham added that he would submit to jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court if Russia also agrees to.
“Come and make your best case,” he said. “See you in The Hague!”
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