House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country” if Ukraine hopes to move forward with a U.S.-brokered peace deal. His remarks follow a heated exchange in the Oval Office, where Zelenskyy clashed with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance over the terms of a mineral wealth agreement.
During an interview on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Johnson underscored Trump’s efforts to mediate peace, asserting, “President Trump is trying to get these two parties to a point of peace.” He expressed disappointment in Zelenskyy’s response, stating, “What President Zelenskyy did in the White House was effectively signal to us that he’s not ready for that yet, and I think that’s a great disappointment.”
Johnson further emphasized Trump’s stance, making it clear that “if [Zelenskyy] is ready for peace, then we can negotiate a deal.”
@VimleshRajbansi (Vimlesh Rajbansi)
Twitter Feb 28, 2025 https://x.com/VimleshRajbansi/status/1895688258828583257
“Zelensky in the Oval Watch the entire video to understand the context of this meeting and when things fell apart from 40min after JD raised diplomacy. Do you agree with Vance that Zelensky did not once say thank you?”
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Contentious Oval Office Meeting Sparks Debate
The dispute stems from Zelenskyy’s insistence on including security guarantees—assurances that the U.S. would intervene if Russia violated a ceasefire—as part of the mineral rights agreement. However, Trump and Vance pushed back, telling Zelenskyy he “doesn’t have the cards” to dictate terms. They also urged him to show greater appreciation for U.S. support in Ukraine’s war effort.
Following the confrontation, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., openly called for Zelenskyy’s resignation, branding the meeting a “complete, utter disaster.” Speaking to reporters at the White House, Graham stated, “I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelenskyy again,” adding, “either he needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.”
On Meet the Press, Johnson echoed similar frustrations, criticizing Zelenskyy’s conduct. He told moderator Kristen Welker, “He berated and interrupted his host instead of expressing gratitude for the extraordinary help that the U.S. has provided his country.”
The Mineral Rights Deal and Security Concerns
Johnson also defended the proposed mineral rights agreement, arguing that it inherently provides security assurances for Ukraine. “This mineral rights deal is a win, a win for everyone. It will give us access to rare earth minerals that we need, and it will provide a level of security for Ukraine,” he said. He further stated that once the deal is in place, Ukraine would be in an economic partnership with the U.S., ensuring that American interests—and by extension, Ukraine’s stability—would be defended.
“They will effectively be in an economic partnership with us after that point, and we will definitely always defend our interests and our investments,” Johnson explained. “Russia knows that. China knows that. Iran and North Korea know that, and that’s a very important message for us.”
When asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin benefited from the Oval Office dispute, Johnson rejected the idea, stating, “No, he wasn’t.”
Pushback Against Calls for Zelenskyy’s Resignation
Not all Republicans agreed with calls for Zelenskyy to step down. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., opposed the idea, cautioning against the potential chaos that could ensue. “I’m not interested in calling on the resignation of other world leaders,” he told Meet the Press, adding that such a move “would spiral Ukraine into chaos right now, trying to find who is the negotiator” for a peace deal.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also criticized the suggestion, calling it a “horrific” idea on Meet the Press. He defended Zelenskyy, stating, “Zelenskyy is leading a country, trying to defend democracy against an authoritarian dictator—Putin—who invaded his country.”
House Republicans Push Forward on Budget Reconciliation
Beyond the controversy surrounding Ukraine, Johnson also addressed a major legislative development—the passage of a massive budget reconciliation bill by House Republicans last week. The bill now moves to a committee of House and Senate GOP leaders, who will work to reconcile differences between the two chambers’ versions of the legislation.
The Fallout From the Oval Office Showdown
The heated confrontation between Zelenskyy and U.S. officials has ignited fierce debate about Ukraine’s leadership and the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. With some Republicans calling for new leadership in Kyiv while others warn of the risks of destabilization, the coming weeks may determine the fate of U.S. support for Ukraine’s war efforts and economic future. Whether Zelenskyy will shift his stance or face mounting pressure to step aside remains an open question.
