--- title: Speaker Johnson Says 'Someone Else Needs to Lead' Ukraine description: In a TV interview, Johnson said Zelensky 'needs to come to his senses' or something has to change. canonical: https://time.com/7263411/zelensky-future-trump-oval-office-fallout-johnson-comments/ author: Rebecca Schneid article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2025-03-02T19:09:25.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-19T07:50:32.604Z article:section: Politics og:title: Johnson Suggests 'Someone Else Needs to Lead' Ukraine og:description: In a TV interview, Johnson said Zelensky 'needs to come to his senses' or something has to change. og:url: https://time.com/7263411/zelensky-future-trump-oval-office-fallout-johnson-comments/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3215265df6d54296/6998c4877323af04fa2bc4c9/GettyImages-2201820301.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 6711 og:image:height: 3775 og:image:alt: President Trump Meets Ukrainian President Zelenskiy At White House og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Johnson Suggests 'Someone Else Needs to Lead' Ukraine twitter:description: In a TV interview, Johnson said Zelensky 'needs to come to his senses' or something has to change. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3215265df6d54296/6998c4877323af04fa2bc4c9/GettyImages-2201820301.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Speaker Johnson Says 'Someone Else Needs to Lead' Ukraine If Zelensky Doesn't 'Come to His Senses' > Sponsored content. 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It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, twice a week. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=60e25f63-9371-49e6-92f5-c5edaffcb622&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1) ## Video: After Heated Oval Office Exchange, Trump Ends Pivotal Meeting With Zelensky Early [Watch (HLS stream): After Heated Oval Office Exchange, Trump Ends Pivotal Meeting With Zelensky Early](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/n5Mv7W64.m3u8) (7:07)  _Published 2025-02-28. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky wouldn’t concede the point. A tense Oval Office meeting Friday that was supposed to end in Ukraine agreeing to share mining resources with the U.S. devolved into a heated argument as President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance insisted Ukraine should express more gratitude for U.S. support and agree to a ceasefire with Russia, even without clear security guarantees from the U.S. “You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump told Zelensky, as the two interrupted each other during a forceful exchange in front of TV cameras. “We’re not playing cards,” Zelensky said. The leader of war-torn Ukraine repeatedly interrupted Trump and insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin couldn’t be trusted, noting he had already broken ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreements. Zelensky said that if the U.S. walks away from Ukraine, U.S. security would be more at risk from an emboldened Russia. Trump bristled at Zelensky pushing back and his voice became sharper. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump said._  by [Rebecca Schneid](https://time.com/author/rebecca-schneid/)  ## Rebecca Schneid Reporter Mar 2, 2025 7:09 PM UTC Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky wouldn’t concede the point. A tense Oval Office meeting Friday that was supposed to end in Ukraine agreeing to share mining resources with the U.S. devolved into a heated argument as President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance insisted Ukraine should express more gratitude for U.S. support and agree to a ceasefire with Russia, even without clear security guarantees from the U.S. “You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump told Zelensky, as the two interrupted each other during a forceful exchange in front of TV cameras. “We’re not playing cards,” Zelensky said. The leader of war-torn Ukraine repeatedly interrupted Trump and insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin couldn’t be trusted, noting he had already broken ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreements. Zelensky said that if the U.S. walks away from Ukraine, U.S. security would be more at risk from an emboldened Russia. Trump bristled at Zelensky pushing back and his voice became sharper. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump said.  by [Rebecca Schneid](https://time.com/author/rebecca-schneid/)  ## Rebecca Schneid Reporter Mar 2, 2025 7:09 PM UTC Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson shared his thoughts on [President Trump's heated Oval Office meeting](https://time.com/7262883/trump-zelensky-meeting/) with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with NBC’s _Meet the Press_ on Sunday. Moderator Kristen Welker asked Johnson what he thought about comments by Sen. Lindsey Graham—a once [staunch supporter of Ukraine](https://x.com/amyklobuchar/status/1895498460884766925?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1895498460884766925%7Ctwgr%5E12c4baa6cc682583bd179e5984ded89b05e54f1d%7Ctwcon%5Es1%5F&ref%5Furl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedailybeast.com%2Fturncoat-lindsey-graham-flips-script-after-trump-zelensky-fallout%2F) on the Republican side—in which he said that for Ukraine-Russia peace agreements to occur, Zelensky may need to resign. “What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful and I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelensky again,” [Graham said on Friday](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHTagjkeQck). "He \[Zelensky\] either needs to resign, and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change." Johnson seemed to agree that “something has to change” in order for peace to occur. “Either he \[Zelensky\] needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude or someone else needs to lead the country to do that,”[ Johnson told Welker](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJuUHuQWe%5Fg). At the same time, Johnson maintained that Republicans do “understand” that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “dangerous adversary” to the U.S., and that the U.S. is “not abandoning Ukraine.” He also remained firm on his position that the potential U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal—the discussion of which was the original intent of Trump and Zelensky’s Oval Office meeting on Friday—would be “a win for everyone.” Johnson continued: “It will give us access to rare earth minerals that we need, and it will provide a level of security for Ukraine.”  Speaker of the House Mike Johnson at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Ricky Carioti/The Washington—Getty Images The discussion about Zelensky’s leadership coincided with the Ukrainian leader's trip to London. After touching down on Saturday, he and other European leaders gathered [for a summit](https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/02/europe/ukraine-russia-zelensky-starmer-summit-intl/index.html) on Sunday to discuss a path toward peace for Ukraine. On Sunday evening, Zelensky sat down with reporters at London Stansted Airport before leaving the U.K. He [was asked by Sky News](https://news.sky.com/video/zelenskyy-suggests-he-will-resign-if-ukraine-is-given-nato-membership-13320561) what he thought of Graham and Johnson's comments about him perhaps resigning. In response, Zelensky said Graham is a "good guy," but went on to add: "I can give \[Graham\] citizenship of Ukraine and he will become a citizen of our country. And then his voice will start to gain weight, and I will hear him as a citizen of Ukraine on the topic of who must be the President." He added: "The President of Ukraine will have to be chosen not in Lindsay Graham's home but in Ukraine." On the wider topic of resignation, Zelensky echoed comments he made at a press conference on Feb. 23—prior to his and Trump’s pivotal meeting, but amid rising [tensions ](https://time.com/7259420/trump-calls-zelensky-dictator-tensions-rise-over-russia-ukraine-war/)—when he said he would be ready to resign if it guaranteed peace for Ukraine and he [could do it in exchange for NATO](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/23/europe/ukraine-zelensky-resign-nato-intl/index.html). Reiterating that stance on Sunday, he said: "I have said that I am exchanging for NATO membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission. NATO means I have fulfilled my mission." **Read More:** [_World Leaders React to Zelensky and Trump’s Oval Office Showdown_](https://time.com/7263291/zelensky-trump-oval-office-showdown-us-ukraine-world-leaders-react/) In contrast to Graham and Johnson, some Republicans are uninterested in mentions of Zelensky resigning. Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford appeared separately on _Meet The Press_ on Sunday,and said if Zelensky were to resign it would “spiral Ukraine into chaos.” He also showed an understanding of Zelensky’s viewpoint, stating he was “rightfully concerned” about Russian negotiations. “No, we’re not turning our back on Ukraine, nor should we,” [Lankford said](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5MYJ7PaF8c). “Putin is a murderous KGB thug that murders his political enemies and is a dictator.” Other U.S. lawmakers to speak out against the mention of Zelensky resigning include Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who—[also on _Meet the Press_](https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/sen-bernie-sanders-says-calls-for-zelenskyy-to-resign-are-horrific-full-interview-233292869592)_—_called Johnson’s comments a “horrific suggestion.” “Zelensky is leading a country, trying to defend democracy against an authoritarian dictator, Putin, who invaded his country,” Sanders said. In the aftermath of Trump’s meeting with Zelensky, many European leaders have rallied[ behind Zelensky](https://time.com/7263291/zelensky-trump-oval-office-showdown-us-ukraine-world-leaders-react/). Sunday's European leaders summit, led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, considered short and long-term security plans for the country. “I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes, everyone around this table,” Starmer said to Zelensky at the summit, which was also attended by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, [during his opening remarks.](https://www.cpac.ca/headline-politics/episode/ukraine-summit-in-london-opening-remarks-by-keir-starmer--march-2-2025?id=1eace618-80e6-41ac-bcd7-144561d164b0) Starmer went on to share that he and other European leaders will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, and will then present that to the U.S. ## Transcript President. Mr. president, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media. Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict. Into Ukraine, that you say what problems we have. I have been to. I have actually. I've actually watched and seen the stories. And I know what happens is you bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour. Mr. president, do you disagree that you've had problems bringing people into your military? And do you think that it's respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to trying to prevent the destruction of your country? A lot of a lot of questions. Let's start from the beginning. Sure. First of all, during the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have nice ocean and don't feel now, but you will feel it in the future. God bless. You don't know that. God bless you. God bless you. You got a war. Don't tell us what we're going to feel. We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel. I'm not telling you because you're in. No position to dictate that. Remember what you're doing. You're in no position to dictate what we're going to feel. We're going to feel very good. We're going to feel very good and very strong. We will feel. Influenced. You're right now not in a very good position. You've allowed yourself to be in a. Very bad. Position. And he happens to be right about. From the very beginning of the war. You're not in. A good position. You don't have the cards right now with us. You start having. Cards. Playing cards. Right now. You don't know you're playing cards. You're playing. Cards. You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War three. You're gambling with World War Three. And what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country. This country that's back to you far more than a lot of people said they should have. Have you said. Thank you once this entire meeting? No. In this entire meeting, have you said thank you? Today you went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October, offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who's trying to save your country. Please. You think that if you will speak very loudly about the war. He's not speaking loudly. He's not speaking loudly. Your country is in big trouble. Wait a minute. No, no, you've done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble. I know you're not winning. I know you're not winning this, I. You have a damn good chance of coming out, okay? Because of us. Mr. President, we are staying in our country, staying strong. From the very beginning of the war, we've been alone and we are thankful. I said thanks. You haven't been in this cabinet. You haven't been in this campaign. We gave you through this stupid president, $350 billion. We gave you military equipment, and your men are brave. But they had to use our military. What about if you didn't have our military equipment? You invited. Me. You didn't have our military equipment. This war would have been over in two weeks. In three days? I heard it from Putin in three days. This is something maybe less in two weeks. Of course. Yes, it's going to be a very hard thing to do business like this. I tell you, you. Say thank you. I said a. Lot of times. That they're. Accepted. The American people accept that there are disagreements, and let's go litigate those disagreements rather than trying to fight it out in the American media. When you're wrong, we know that you're wrong. But you see, I think it's good for the American people to see what's going on over here. I think it's very important. That's why I kept this going so long. You have to be thankful you don't have the cards. You're buried there. Your people are dying. I tell you, you're running low on soldiers. Listen, don't say you're. Running low on soldiers. It would be a damn good thing. And then you. Then you tell us. I don't want a cease fire. I don't want a cease fire. I want to go. And I wanted this. Look, if you could get a cease fire right now, I tell you, you take it. So the bullets stop flying and your men stop getting killed. Of course we want to stop the war. But you're saying you don't want a cease fire? I said to you, I want a cease fire. Guaranteed. Because you'll get a cease fire faster than an agreement. Ask our people about ceasefire. What they think. There wasn't with me for you. What? That wasn't with me. That was with a guy named Biden who was not a smart person. That was. That was with. Obama. It was your president. Excuse me? That was with Obama. Who gave you sheets and I gave you javelins. Yes. I gave you the javelins to take out all those tanks. Obama gave you sheets. In fact, the statement is Obama gave sheets and Trump gave javelins. You got to be more thankful because let me tell you, you don't have the cards with us. You have the cards, but without us, you don't have any cards. One more question. She's asking, what if Russia breaks the cease fire? What if they. What, if anything? What if a bomb drops on your head right now? Okay, what if they broke it? I don't know, they broke it with Biden because Biden, they didn't respect him. They didn't respect Obama. They respect me. Let me tell you, Putin went through a hell of a lot with me. He went through a phony witch hunt where they used him. And Russia. Russia. Russia. Russia. You ever hear of that deal? That was a phony. That was a phony. Hunter Biden, Joe Biden scam, Hillary Clinton, shifty Adam Schiff. It was a Democrat scam, and he had to go through that. And he did go through it. We didn't end up in a war, and he went through it. He was accused of all that stuff. He had nothing to do with it. It came out of Hunter Biden's bathroom. It came out of Hunter Biden's bedroom. It was disgusting. And then they said, oh, oh, the laptop from hell was made by Russia. The 51 agents, the whole thing was a scam. And he had to put up with that. He was being accused of all that stuff. All I can say is this he might have broken deals with Obama and Bush, and he might have broken them with Biden. He did. Maybe. Maybe he didn't. I don't know what happened, but he didn't break him with me. He wants to make a deal. I don't know if you can make a deal. The problem is, I've empowered you to be a tough guy. And I don't think you'd be a tough guy without the United States. And your people are very brave. But you're either going to make a deal or we're out. And if we're out, you'll fight it out. I don't think it's going to be pretty, but you'll fight it out. But you don't have the cards. But once we sign that deal, you're in a much better position. But you're not acting at all thankful. And that's not a nice thing. I'll be honest. That's not a nice thing. All right. I think we've seen enough. What do you think? Huh? This is. This is going to be great television. I will say that. All right. We'll see what we can do about putting it together. Thank you. All right, guys, let's go. Guys. Come on, let's go. We'll see I don't know. All right guys. Guys. Come on. Please. Hey! Come on. Let's go. Guys. Come on, let's move. Please. Please. 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