US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has died following a brief and sudden illness.
His office released a statement saying the Senator died last Saturday evening. The statement also said the Senator’s family "appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period."
Graham was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and became one of Washington’s most influential voices on foreign policy. He was a key ally of former President Donald Trump.
He had just returned from Kyiv, where he met the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last Friday. No health concerns were reported before the trip.
Trump posted a tribute, calling Graham a "true American Patriot."
In addition to his foreign policy work, Graham served as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.
He consistently advocated for U.S. support for Ukraine, famously warning that "Putin will not stop in Ukraine." He also linked the conflict to the broader stakes in Taiwan.
During his most recent trip, Graham worked on a version of the Russia sanctions bill that he said would give President Trump the "tools" to end the war.
Although Graham clashed with Trump in the past, he became one of his staunchest backers, citing actions on the southern border, the killing of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani, and the appointment of conservative judges.
