NATO allies, Ukraine and Israel paid tribute to U.S. Sen. as a friend, partner and advocate of trans-Atlantic ties on Sunday, praising a politician who was a high-profile figure in global foreign policy before and during the era of President .
The Republican senator had visited Ukraine just before his death and announced an agreement on Friday with the Trump administration to move forward on a package of
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Graham, whom he met twice in the past week, visited Ukraine 10 times since in 2022, and 鈥渨as here with our people when it was most needed.鈥� He said that 鈥淟indsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.鈥�
A one-time critic of Trump turned close ally, Graham drew tributes for his longtime commitment to NATO and trans-Atlantic friendship at a time when those ties have .
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Graham was 鈥渁 powerful advocate for America who believed strongly in the NATO Alliance and was actively working to bring an end to Russia鈥檚 war against Ukraine.鈥� Rutte’s predecessor, Jens Stoltenberg, lauded the South Carolina senator’s 鈥渢ireless commitment鈥� to NATO and the trans-Atlantic bond, and his 鈥渟taunch support鈥� for Ukraine.
Graham commanded respect on NATO’s eastern edge, where Russia’s intentions are viewed with deep concern.
Estonia鈥檚 Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that 鈥淓stonia will remember him as a steadfast friend, a strong supporter of NATO鈥檚 eastern flank, and an unwavering advocate for Ukraine.鈥� Latvian counterpart Baiba Bra啪e said that he was 鈥渁mong the strongest supporters of NATO and transatlantic relations (and) assistance to Ukraine in countering Russian aggression.”
鈥淗is commitment to the values of democracy, security, and international partnership earned him the respect and gratitude of many across Europe,鈥� Lithuanian Foreign Minister K臋stutis Budrys said. 鈥淗is voice will be missed, but his legacy will endure.鈥�
Finnish President Alexander Stubb called Graham 鈥渁 personal friend. A supporter of @NATO and Ukraine. A Transatlanticist. A friend of Finland.鈥�
And German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was 鈥渁 true friend and partner of Germany in the transatlantic alliance. We stood side by side for more than four decades.鈥�
Graham advised Trump on foreign policy matters such as and Russia.
He had long backed policies aimed at isolating Iran and limiting its missile and nuclear programs, cheered Trump’s decision to strike nuclear sites last year and was a supporter of there. While he was admired in Israel, his position toward the war in Gaza in particular angered many in the Middle East, including U.S. allies who advocated a diplomatic solution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him 鈥渁 great friend of Israel鈥� and 鈥渁 cherished friend of mine.鈥�
Netanyahu said Graham understood that the security of Israel and the United States is inseparable and devoted his life to defending America, strengthening the U.S.-Israel alliance and standing up for the free world.
鈥淚srael has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,鈥� Netanyahu said.
Michael Oren, who served as Israeli ambassador to the U.S. from 2009 to 2013, said Graham鈥檚 death removes a staunchly pro-Israel voice from Congress at a precarious time.
鈥淵ou have a few Democrats and Republicans willing to stand up in Israel鈥檚 defense, but those type of people are few, it’s not a body of people,鈥� he said. “So when you lose someone like Lindsey Graham, it鈥檚 a diplomatic and strategic loss for the state of Israel.鈥�
Iranian state television announced Graham鈥檚 death during a live broadcast in openly hostile terms.
鈥淚 congratulate the great nation of Iran on Lindsey Graham, the warmongering and anti-Iranian U.S. senator, having gone to hell,鈥� the anchor said.
Graham’s staunch support of Israel and his hawkish approach drew anger elsewhere in the Middle East. He was outspoken in supporting Israel’s devastating war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants.
In May 2024, after Washington paused some military aid to Israel, he urged then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to 鈥済ive Israel what they need to fight the war.” He likened the threat Israel faced to 鈥淗iroshima and Nagasaki on steroids.鈥� He posted on X later that year that 鈥渢he Palestinians in Gaza are the most radicalized population on the planet who are taught to hate Jews from birth.鈥�
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Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut and Julia Frankel in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
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