Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a pointy retort to US Senator Lindsey Graham’s suggestion that he ought to step down, telling the South Carolina Republican that if he wished his opinion to matter, he might transfer to Ukraine and turn into a citizen.
“I may give him the citizenship of Ukraine,” Zelensky mentioned when requested about Graham’s remarks. “He’ll turn into a citizen of our nation, after which his voice will acquire weight. And I’ll hear him as a citizen of Ukraine on the subject of who should be the president.”
???? NEW: President Zelensky says Sen. Lindsey Graham can transfer to Ukraine and acquire citizenship if he needs his resignation name to hold “weight”:
Reporter: “Senator Lindsey Graham mentioned that maybe it is best to contemplate resigning…”
Zelensky: “I may give him the citizenship of… pic.twitter.com/YBsDOgSOIJ
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) March 2, 2025
Graham, a longtime advocate of Ukraine however now a vocal critic of Zelensky, responded, “Sadly, till there may be an election, nobody has a voice in Ukraine.”
Sadly, till there may be an election, nobody has a voice in Ukraine. https://t.co/kLuVlRiRqw
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 2, 2025
The Tense Oval Workplace Assembly
The dramatic alternate adopted an explosive assembly between Zelensky, his US counterpart Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance within the Oval Workplace on Friday. Zelensky had been looking for stronger US assist for Ukraine’s struggle effort, however the dialogue shortly spiralled right into a public confrontation.
As tensions mounted, Trump pressed Zelensky on whether or not Ukraine was prepared to make territorial concessions to Russia. Vance joined in, escalating the confrontation by accusing the Ukrainian president of missing appreciation for American assist.
Zelensky fired again at Vance, “What sort of diplomacy, JD?” He identified Ukraine’s a number of failed negotiations with Russia earlier than the full-scale invasion. The alternate solely grew extra heated, ending in Trump declaring that Zelensky was “playing with World Struggle III.”
When Zelensky pushed again, itemizing Ukraine’s failed diplomatic efforts with Russia, Vance accused him of being “ungrateful” and “disrespecting the US President.”
The strain peaked when Zelensky warned that Russian aggression might ultimately threaten the US. “You might have good ocean and do not feel now, however you’ll really feel it sooner or later,” he mentioned. That reportedly pissed off Trump, who ended the assembly abruptly and cancelled a deliberate joint press convention.
In a later interview, Zelensky acknowledged that his Oval Workplace alternate with Trump and Vance had been heated however defended his strategy, calling it “needed.”
Graham Calls For Zelensky To “Resign”
After the assembly, Lindsey Graham didn’t maintain again his criticism. “He both must resign and ship someone over that we will do enterprise with, or he wants to vary,” the senator informed reporters exterior the White Home. He referred to as the dialogue a “full and utter catastrophe” and instructed Zelensky’s management had turn into an impediment to efficient US-Ukraine relations.
Hours earlier than the Oval Workplace conflict, Graham reportedly issued a warning to Zelensky.
“Do not take the bait,” the senator warned, advising the Ukrainian chief to keep away from heated arguments over safety agreements. Zelensky, nonetheless, didn’t maintain again as soon as the assembly started — resulting in one of the vital intense diplomatic standoffs in latest US-Ukraine relations.
