Ukraine, 9 countries form ballistic missile defense coalition
Skip next section Lindsey Graham death viewed as a 'huge' loss in Ukraine 07/13/2026 July 13, 2026 Lindsey Graham death viewed as a 'huge' loss
Skip next section Lindsey Graham death viewed as a 'huge' loss in Ukraine 07/13/2026 July 13, 2026 Lindsey Graham death viewed as a 'huge' loss in Ukraine Lindsey Graham passed away over the weekend Image: Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo/picture alliance The death of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has come has a major blow for Ukraine, with him being viewed as a key link between Kyiv and US President Donald Trump.
"Huge and absolutely unexpected loss," said Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker with Zelenskyy’s party. "He was truly indispensable. I even don’t know who might be as important for us now in Trump’s entourage." "He was the closest link between Ukraine, our president and Trump," he added. "Our position in Trump’s entourage might be weaker." Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk described Graham as a "steadfast friend of Ukraine" whose support was "principled and resolute." Shortly after news of Graham's passing, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had visited Ukraine ten times since Russia's full-scale invasion.
Zelenskyy described Graham as a "true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer." Trump's return to the White House, brought with it a level of uncertainty as to the path ahead when it came to support for Ukraine's defensive efforts. Ukrainian officials moved better relationships with Republicans close to him amid growing uncertainty over future US backing.
Graham was seen as a central figure to those efforts in that time.
The BriefWire