In a stunning turnaround, Senator Lindsey Graham, once Ukraine’s most vocal ally on Capitol Hill, is now calling for President Zelenskyy to “resign or change” following a heated Oval Office confrontation with President Trump. Could this signal the end of America’s blank-check policy toward Ukraine?
At a Glance
- Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s “disrespectful” behavior during a tense Oval Office meeting with President Trump
- Graham, previously one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters, suggested Zelenskyy should “resign or change” his approach
- Trump canceled a joint press conference and ordered Zelenskyy to leave the White House after the contentious exchange
- Graham expressed pride in Trump and Vance for “standing up for America” during the confrontation
- The Trump administration is pushing for a ceasefire and peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia
From Staunch Ally to Fierce Critic
Senator Lindsey Graham, who once described U.S. aid to Ukraine as “the best money we’ve ever spent,” has dramatically shifted his stance following a contentious White House meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
And if he’s changed his mind, people like him probably are, too.
The South Carolina Republican, who previously advocated for sending billions in military and economic aid to Ukraine, now questions whether America can continue working with Zelenskyy’s administration at all.
Graham’s criticism came after what was supposed to be a routine diplomatic visit turned into a heated confrontation in the Oval Office. The meeting, initially planned to demonstrate unity between the United States and Ukraine and to sign a minerals deal, quickly deteriorated when Zelenskyy’s behavior reportedly angered President Trump, who subsequently canceled their scheduled joint press conference and ordered the Ukrainian leader to leave.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after a contentious meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appeared on Fox News to express gratitude for American support during Ukraine's conflict with Russia. He emphasized the need for open dialogue while…— The America One News (@am1_news) March 1, 2025
“Resign or Change”
Speaking to reporters outside the White House following the incident, Graham didn’t mince words about Zelenskyy’s conduct. He described the Ukrainian President’s behavior as unacceptable and suggested dramatic changes would be necessary for the relationship to continue. Graham’s criticism is particularly significant given his history as one of Washington’s most outspoken supporters of Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
“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 outside the White House after Trump canceled a scheduled joint press conference with Zelenskyy and ordered him to leave.
The senator went even further, suggesting that Zelenskyy’s leadership might be untenable under current circumstances.
“He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change,” Graham declared, making it clear that the Trump administration’s patience with Zelenskyy’s approach has reached its limit. The Senator’s stark assessment reflects growing Republican frustration with Ukraine’s apparent resistance to diplomatic solutions.
This could prove to be a major turning point.
