“Why don’t we do this: I just got off the phone with two Democratic senators. Let’s make Russia a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law. Let’s make them pay a price for killing Navalny.”

There are four countries currently labeled as state sponsors of terrorism by the United States: Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria. The
designation comes with a battery of sanctions, including restrictions on foreign assistance and a ban on defense exports and sales.

Graham said Sunday that legislation adding Russia to the list could come as early as this week.

“President Biden told Putin, if something happens to Navalny, you’re going to pay a price. President Biden, I agree with you, the price they should pay is to make Russia a state sponsor of terrorism,” Graham said.

Navalny, 47, was repeatedly targeted in recent years, and was subject to imprisonment and poisoning. A nerve agent
was found “in and on” his body in 2020,
sparking international backlash and leading the Biden administration to place
new sanctions on Russia.

Navalny’s death comes a month before a presidential election in Russia, where Putin is set to extend his more than two-decade domination of the country.