U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who suddenly died on Saturday, had been actively working in the final weeks of his life on a plan to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel and sought to reach a corresponding agreement before the start of the new U.S. Congress. In addition, he was working on imposing new sanctions against Russia. Axios reports this, writes UNN.
Details
According to the publication, Graham considered the normalization of relations between Riyadh and Tel Aviv a key element of post-war settlement in the Middle East. He had promoted this idea for years, and recently convinced U.S. President Donald Trump to make it a central part of American strategy in the region.
"I can't die now. I still need to impose sanctions against Russia, resolve the issue with Iran, and normalize Israeli-Saudi relations,"
Who the senator negotiated with
Axios writes that in recent weeks, Graham discussed his initiative with Trump, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, as well as with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's confidant Ron Dermer and representatives of Saudi Arabia. He planned to visit both countries in the near future to assess the parties' readiness to resume negotiations.
The senator also hoped to begin intensive diplomatic consultations after the October elections in Israel and the U.S. midterm elections to reach an agreement by January. In his view, success required stabilizing the situation around Iran and securing congressional support for a U.S.-Saudi defense treaty.
In the final hours of his life, Graham also discussed with Trump his trip to Ukraine and a bill on new sanctions against Russia, which, he said, the Senate should consider in the near future.
One of the most outstanding people and senators - Trump reacted to Graham's death12.07.26, 10:39