U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)—an outspoken war hawk and supporter of Ukraine—says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky either needs to resign or change his behavior if he wants further assistance from President Donald J. Trump. The South Carolina Republican’s comments come shortly after the Ukrainian leader instigated a tense exchange with President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance during a public meeting in the Oval Office on Friday as the leaders sought to finalize a deal over rare earth minerals.
“So, what I think? Complete, utter disaster,” Sen. Graham said after leaving the White House. “At the end of the day, I was hoping that this minerals deal—which would be transformative in the relationship—would go over well. I talked to Zelensky this morning, ‘Don’t take the bait.’ President Trump was in a very good mood last night. Somebody asked me, am I embarrassed about Trump? I have never been more proud of the President. I was very proud of J.D. Vance for standing up for our country.”
“What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful and I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelensky again,” the South Carolina Senator stated bluntly. “He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.”
Zelensky snapped at Vice President Vance after the latter suggested Ukraine needed to redouble its diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire with Russia, prompting President Trump to intervene and chastise the Ukrainian leader’s “very disrespectful” behavior. Following the meeting, President Trump issued a statement, declaring: “President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved.”
WATCH:
Lindsey Graham: “What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful … I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelensky again … He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with or he needs to change.”
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 28, 2025