Sen. James Lankford criticized Republican demands for the resignation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which were triggered by the heated dispute between Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office on Friday. “I disagree. Lankford (R-Okla.) stated on Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he had no interest in demanding the resignation of other international leaders. “To be honest, I believe that trying to figure out who is the negotiator to resolve a conflict would send Ukraine into anarchy right now.” Lankford’s comments contradict those of Speaker Mike Johnson, who spoke on “Meet the Press” on Sunday before Lankford’s appearance. Zelenskyy “needs to wake up and return to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country to do that,” Johnson stated. The comments were made two days after Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vance sparred on camera.
The accusations were taken a step further by Trump and Vance, who said Zelenskyy is not appreciative of the U.S.’s help in attempting to broker a cease-fire in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Republicans criticized Zelenskyy for being expelled from the White House following the Oval Office disagreement, despite the fact that the visit was intended to conclude discussions on the Trump-proposed minerals deal. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) started the calls for Zelenskyy’s resignation on Friday when he told reporters outside the White House that he didn’t think the United States could ever do business with him again. The fact that Lankford, a longtime admirer of Ukraine, is the most recent Republican to stand up for Zelenskyy underscores the party’s serious disagreement on the matter. In a post on X on Saturday, Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski criticized Trump and Vance’s Friday comments on Zelenskyy, claiming that the United States is “walking away from our allies and embracing Putin.”
Zelenskyy was also defended by other senators. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) stated in an interview with “Meet the Press” on Sunday that the demands for Zelenskyy’s resignation are a “horrific suggestion.” “Zelenskyy is in charge of a nation and is attempting to protect democracy from Putin, an authoritarian ruler who invaded his nation,” Sanders stated. “I believe that millions of Americans feel ashamed and embarrassed that the president of the United States claims that Zelenskyy is a dictator and that Ukraine initiated the conflict—he has it completely wrong.”
Prior to the disastrous meeting, Zelenskyy had been eager to visit the White House, according to Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). “What transpired in the Oval Office horrified me,” she stated on ABC’s “This Week.” Before President Zelenskyy left for the White House, I was with several senators, both Democratic and Republican. He was feeling really happy. He was eager to go and sign the minerals agreement, which was something that President Trump valued greatly. In my opinion, the outcome of this is not what President Trump wants. When host Kristen Welker asked Lankford if he was worried about the United States abandoning Ukraine, he said, “No,” and criticized Putin’s actions. “No, we shouldn’t and we’re not abandoning Ukraine,” Lankford stated. “Putin is a murderous KGB thug who is a dictator there and kills his political opponents.”