In an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson discussed his views regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Moderator Kristen Welker inquired about Johnson’s reaction to Senator Lindsey Graham’s remarks—Graham, once a strong Republican ally—suggesting that Zelensky might need to step down for Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations to progress.
“What I witnessed in the Oval Office was disrespectful, and I’m uncertain if we can conduct business with Zelensky moving forward,” Graham stated. “He [Zelensky] should either resign and send someone we can work with, or he needs to change his approach.”
Johnson seemed to concur that “something must change” to achieve peace.
He stated, “Either he [Zelensky] needs to become more reasonable and return to the negotiating table with gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country in that direction.”
Simultaneously, Johnson affirmed that Republicans “understand” Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “dangerous adversary” to the U.S. and that the U.S. is “not abandoning Ukraine.”
He also stood by his position that the proposed U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal—the original purpose of Trump and Zelensky’s Oval Office meeting on Friday—would be “a win for everyone.”
Johnson elaborated, “It will grant us access to essential rare earth minerals, while also providing Ukraine with a degree of security.”
U.S. lawmakers have responded differently to Trump’s exchange with Zelensky and the subsequent deterioration of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
These discussions follow Zelensky’s comments at a press conference on February 23—before his pivotal meeting with Trump, but amid growing tensions—that he would be prepared to resign if it ensured peace for Ukraine and he saw no other way.
However, other Republicans are not interested in suggestions of Zelensky’s resignation. Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, appearing separately on Meet The Press on Sunday, stated that Zelensky’s resignation would “plunge Ukraine into chaos.” He also expressed understanding of Zelensky’s perspective, noting he was “rightfully concerned” about negotiations with Russia.
“No, we’re not turning our back on Ukraine, nor should we,” Lankford emphasized. “Putin is a murderous KGB thug that murders his political enemies and is a dictator.”
Other U.S. lawmakers criticizing the idea of Zelensky resigning include Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who deemed Johnson’s comments a “horrific suggestion.”
“Zelensky is leading a country, striving to defend democracy against an authoritarian dictator, Putin, who invaded his country,” Sanders stated.
These debates about Zelensky’s leadership occur while the Ukrainian leader is in London, where he and other European leaders convened on Sunday to discuss a path to peace for Ukraine. Following Trump’s meeting with Zelensky, numerous European leaders showed their support. The summit, led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, addressed both short-term and long-term security strategies for the country.
“I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes, everyone around this table,” Starmer told Zelensky at the summit, which was also attended by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Starmer continued, stating that he and other European leaders will collaborate with Ukraine on a plan to halt the fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, which will then be presented to the U.S.