Russia Protests to US Envoy Over Sen. Graham's Call to 'Take Out' Putin

Russia's Foreign Ministry protested to the U.S. ambassador in Moscow on Saturday over remarks by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., advocating President Vladimir Putin be assassinated.

It said in a statement that failure to unambiguously condemn the remarks and take concrete measures "will have a further devastating effect on Russian-American relations," already in tatters following Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. Amb. John Sullivan was summoned to the ministry to be told Graham's comment would be treated as a serious crime in Russia.

"This is a public, terrorist appeal that is completely unacceptable," the ministry said.

Graham called on Twitter for someone in Russia to "take this guy out" – referring to Putin.

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters Friday: "We are not advocating for killing the leader of a foreign country or regime change. That is not the policy of the United States."