World leaders salute US hero

Political leaders from across the globe praised John McCain as a supporter of democracy and a reliable partner of Western ideals on Sunday, one day after he died at the age of 81.

“John McCain was led by the firm conviction that the sense of all political work lies in service to freedom, democracy and the rule of law,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron called McCain a “true American hero.”

“He devoted his entire life to his country,” Macron added. “His voice will be missed.”

Afghanistan’s chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, tweeted that McCain was “a great friend & supporter of the Afghan nation & people throughout the years.”

In Ukraine, McCain was celebrated for his strong support of the country amid its ongoing conflict with Russia and his tough stance on the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.

“We will never forget his invaluable contribution to the development of democracy and freedom in Ukraine and the support of our state,” Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said. “The memory of John McCain will remain in our hearts forever.”

British Prime Minister Theresa May called McCain “a great statesman, who embodied the idea of service over self.”

“It was an honour to call him a friend of the UK,” she added in a statement. “My deepest sympathies go to his family, and the American people.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called McCain an “American patriot and hero whose sacrifices for his country, and lifetime of public service, were an inspiration to millions.”

At least one world leader, though, refused to refer to McCain as a hero.

President Trump, who infamously said during the campaign that McCain was no hero because he had been captured in Vietnam, put the kibosh on a White House statement that used the H-word and instead issued a tweet offering sympathy to the senator’s family.