Russia hits back at Sen. Lindsey Graham after the lawmaker proposed Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism after the death of the opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Graham, a staunch critic of Russia, was instead included in Russia’s list of extremists and terrorists, monitored by Rosfinmonitoring, Russia’s financial watchdog.
An article from the Moscow Times noted that Russia can freeze designee’s financial accounts.
However, the media outlet noted that “it is unlikely that Graham has a bank account in Russia or plans to travel to the country.”
The senator mocked the designation and wrote on X, “There goes all my rubles!”
“I call your ‘terrorists and extremists’ bid and raise you ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism under U.S. law,’” the senator added. “Believe it or not, 2024 is going to be a bad year for Putin’s Russia.”
The Senator also went out of his way to list policy goals he wanted the US to pursue this year to intensify conflict with the Kremlin, and further demanded “more aid to Ukraine,” “more high-end weapons that can reach out and touch the Russian occupiers,” and “the expansion of NATO.”
Additionally, last year Russia’s Interior Ministry issued an arrest warrant for Graham after a video of him went viral, where he allegedly remarked that the military funding on Zelensky’s war was “the best money [US] ever spent”
The arrest warrant from Russin Interior Ministry states, “Graham, Lindsey Olin, American, born July 9, 1955, is wanted under the article of the Criminal Code.”
Kremlin authorities also blasted Graham and called his remarks a “disgrace to the US.”
Later on, reports revealed that the video was taken out of context. However, for the Ukraine-loving senator, Putin’s arrest warrant is a “badge of honor.”
The South Carolina lawmaker has long been vocal in his support for Ukraine and even urged President Joe Biden “to do more” for Zelensky after his visit last May.
The Republican senator accused the Russian government of killing Navalny while imprisoned last week.
During an interview with CBS, Graham touted Putin’s nemesis and said that “Navalny was one of the bravest people I ever met.”
“When he went back to Russia he had to know he was going to be killed by Putin, and he was murdered by Putin.”
Navalny, a long-time opponent of Putin, suffered a poisoning by a nerve agent in Siberia in 2020.
After receiving treatment in Germany, Navalny went back to Russia in January 2021 and was immediately arrested.
Navalny in his final letter to his friend and photographer Evgeny Feldman, expressed concern about the upcoming reelection of Donald Trump.
He said if President Joe Biden’s health is deteriorating, “Trump will become president.”
“Doesn’t this obvious thing concern the Democrats?” pondered Navalny.
Meanwhile, Graham was also criticized recently for his warmongering on Iran, as Hezbollah militants attacked an American outpost in Jordan near the Syrian border.
Graham wrote on X, “Hit Iran now. Hit them hard.”
“The only thing the Iranian regime understands is force. Until they pay a price with their infrastructure and their personnel, the attacks on U.S. troops will continue.”
