Russia’s Interior Ministry on Monday issued an arrest warrant for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) over comments he made about Ukraine.
The warrant came after the Ukrainian government released video of Graham saying during a meeting about U.S. military support with President Volodymyr Zelensky that “the Russians are dying. It’s the best money we’ve ever spent.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Sunday that “it’s hard to imagine a greater shame for the country than having such senators.”
The Investigative Committee, Russia’s top criminal investigation agency, has moved to open a criminal inquiry into Graham. Russia’s Interior Ministry soon after issued the arrest warrant.
Graham is among nearly 1,000 Americans, including more than 200 members of Congress, whom Moscow banned last year from entering Russia.That ban listed several U.S. lawmakers who are deceased, including Sens. John McCain (R-AZ), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Harry Reid (D-NV).
This month, Russia banned another 500 Americans from entering its country, including journalists and an additional 50 lawmakers.
Graham tweeted on Monday that he would wear his arrest warrant as a “Badge of Honor,” adding that it was issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “corrupt and immoral government.”
On Tuesday he followed up with, “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. [Democratic Senator Richard] Blumenthal, my good friend from Connecticut who has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, has offered to be my lawyer.”
He added that he didn’t like his chances of getting a fair trial.
