Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he will not step down following his heated meeting with POTUS Donald Trump in the Oval Office, per Fox News.
Following the angry Trump meeting, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham publicly called for Zelensky to step down as the Ukrainian Prez said on Sunday that he would “leave the chair” if his country is allowed into NATO.
During the interview Fox News host asked Zelensky if he would step down now. His response was, “No. This decision can only be done by the people of Ukraine.”
“Americans vote for their presidents… and only Ukrainians vote for Ukrainians,” he added.
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Although he dismissed calls to resign, Zelensky acknowledged that the confrontation with Trump had an unfortunate outcome. “I think it was not good. I just want to be honest, I just want our partners to understand everything correctly… I want to understand everything,” he said.
Zelensky reaffirms Ukraine's principles, thanks US for its support
The Ukrainian Prez reiterated his willingness to negotiate with the U.S. on a deal that includes security guarantees for Ukraine. He made it clear that his country values American aid but will not compromise its principles in the process.
{{/usCountry}}The Ukrainian Prez reiterated his willingness to negotiate with the U.S. on a deal that includes security guarantees for Ukraine. He made it clear that his country values American aid but will not compromise its principles in the process.
{{/usCountry}}Baier then asked Zelensky if he believed he owed Trump an apology for the Oval Office clash, but the Ukrainian president firmly shook his head, and responded, “No, I respect the president, and I respect the American people. But I am not sure we did something bad.”
“It will be difficult without your support,” he admitted. “But we cannot lose our values, our people. Russians came to our territories, our houses… just to forget it? Just to say Putin is a great guy? No.”
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Shortly before his television appearance, Zelensky took to X (formerly Twitter) to express appreciation for U.S. support: “Thank you, America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit.”
“Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” he wrote.