Lindsey Graham Says Zelenskyy Should Resign, Says U.S. Can’t Work With Him

Lindsey Graham, once Ukraine’s strongest Congressional ally, appears to be changing his tune after witnessing a heated exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Trump. Could this signal a major shift in how Republicans view the ongoing conflict?

At a Glance

  • Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized Zelenskyy’s “disrespectful” behavior during an Oval Office meeting with President Trump
  • Graham suggested Zelensyky should “resign or change,” questioning if the U.S. can continue doing business with him
  • Despite being a strong Ukraine supporter, Graham expressed pride in Trump and Vance for standing up to Zelenskyy
  • The meeting, intended to demonstrate unity, ended with Trump canceling a joint press conference and ordering Zelenskyy to leave
  • Trump administration is pushing for a ceasefire and peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia

Graham Turns on Zelensky After Oval Office Clash

Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters in Congress, has dramatically shifted his tone on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a contentious Oval Office meeting with President Trump. The South Carolina Republican, who once called U.S. aid to Ukraine “the best money we’ve ever spent,” now questions whether America can continue working with the Ukrainian leader at all.

“What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful, and I don’t know if we could ever do business with Zelenskyy again,” Graham said after the debacle.

Graham went further, suggesting Zelenskyy’s behavior was so inappropriate that it might necessitate new leadership in Kyiv.

“He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change,” Graham declared, reflecting a startling reversal for the Senator who has consistently championed Ukraine’s cause since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

That’s…huge.

While Democrats predictably criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the meeting, Graham offered unequivocal praise for how President Trump and Vice President JD Vance conducted themselves. The meeting, originally scheduled to sign a minerals deal and demonstrate unity, reportedly devolved when Zelenskyy became combative about American support levels.

“I’ve never been more proud of President Trump for showing the American people and the world — you don’t trifle with this man,” Graham said.

Graham, who has previously faced criticism from Russia including a 2023 arrest warrant he called a “badge of honor,” offered blunt advice to the Ukrainian President. He suggested Zelenskyy should appear on Fox News to apologize to the American people and demonstrate gratitude for the substantial aid Ukraine has received since the conflict began.

And that’s exactly what Zelenskyy did that night.

So if Lindsey Graham is mad, and if Zelenskyy is listening to him, we should expect something to change. This truly is monumental news.

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