Volodymyr Zelensky insists he’s not going anywhere after the US demanded his resign as president of Ukraine

A senior Republican has made a huge demand of Volodymyr Zelensky after those extraordinary scenes in the Oval Office.

Volodymyr Zelensky insists he isn’t going anywhere after a fiery demand from a senior Republican that he resign.

Senator Lindsey Graham’s sensational attack came in the wake of an ugly spat in the Oval Office at the White House, in which US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated the Ukrainian leader.

In extraordinary scenes, Mr Trump said Mr Zelensky needed to “be grateful”, accused him of disrespecting America, told him “you don’t have the cards”, and demanded he “make a deal” with Russia “or we’re out”.

Donald Trump and JD Vance’s conduct has been criticised by some Republicans. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

Prominent conservative politician Lindsey Graham held a press conference a short time later and slammed the Ukrainian president.

“What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful, and I don’t know if we could ever do business with Zelensky again,” an incensed Mr Graham told reporters.

“If I were him, I would profusely apologise for the way he treated our President and the Vice President in the Oval Office and show a little bit of gratitude for what the American people have done.

“He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with.”

Senior Republican Lindsey Graham made an extraordinary demand for Volodymyr Zelensky to resign.

In an appearance on Fox News after those stunning remarks, Mr Zelensky said his tenure as president was up to the Ukrainian people.

“I don’t know if he will be happy after my words,” he told host Bret Baier. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea for such proposals.

“Americans vote for American presidents. Each European country votes for their president. With all respect to Lindsey, only Ukrainians vote for their president.”

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It was a defence repeated by Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik, who spoke to CNN shortly after.

“With all due respect, in Ukraine, we elect our own presidents and we are known to start revolutions if we think that they are not acting at our best interest,” Ms Rudik said.

“It’s not up to Russian President or American President or American officials to tell the Ukrainian people who should be our president.”

In his wide-ranging interview on Fox News, Mr Zelensky revealed he spoke to Mr Trump about his apparent close ties to Putin.

That intriguing titbit came after host Baier pressed him on whether he worried about the that dynamic.

“We spoke about it,” he said. “I think today, very openly, President Trump said [he] wants to be in the middle otherwise he won’t put [us] at the table.

“I want him to be more at our side.”

He said Mr Trump should back Ukraine given “Russia brought this war to our country, to our houses”.

“All Ukrainians want to hear a strong position of the United States on our side.”

US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky clash. Picture: SAUL LOEB / AFP

Extraordinary row erupts

Several Republicans, a long list of media commentators and multiple world leaders have expressed dismay over the jaw-dropping scenes in the Oval Office.

Following the fracas, a press conference between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky to sign a minerals deal was cancelled.

Mr Zelensky then left the White House after the argument – reportedly on the orders of Mr Trump.

Mr Trump later said on social media that Mr Zelensky had “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace (sic)”.

The Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova was seen holding her head in her hands as Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance sparred with Mr Zelensky.

Volodymyr Zelensky appeared on Fox News after the wild meeting.

The meeting began in a more cordial manner with Mr Trump greeting Mr Zelensky as he emerged from his car, although the US president mockingly noted that his Ukrainian counterpart had “dressed up” for the occasion.

Mr Zelensky said Mr Trump was on “our side”.

But the two presidents began to clash on the need for compromising with what the Ukrainian president called Russia’s “killer” leader. Mr Zelensky said the US would “feel” Russian aggression in the future if Putin was emboldened.

“You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel,” Mr Trump said.

“We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.”

He then berated Mr Zelensky as they sat in the Oval Office, telling him to be more “thankful” and telling the Ukrainian president that he either “make a deal” with Russia “or we’re out”.

Trump berates ‘disrespectful’ Zelensky

“You don’t have the cards right now,” Mr Trump said as the two presidents began talking over one another.

“We’re not playing cards,” Mr Zelensky said.

Mr Vance, sitting nearby, also attacked Mr Zelensky, calling him “disrespectful”.

“(Putin) killed our people, and he didn’t exchange prisoners,” Mr Zelensky said to the Vice President. “What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about? What do you mean?”

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“I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country,” Mr Vance replied.

“It’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to 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”.

Zelensky found it hard to get a word in. Picture: AFP

Mr Trump repeatedly lashed out at Mr Zelensky, who he said was not “nice.”

“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Mr Trump said. “You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country — this country.”

Deal signing off, Zelensky leaves early

The admonishing of Mr Zelensky by the US President continued on social media.

Mr Trump said the meeting was “very meaningful”.

“Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.

“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.”

Mr Zelenskyy later commented on social media, saying thank you to the president, which was notable after Mr Vance accused him of not being thankful.

“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you (President Trump), Congress, and the American people.

“Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that”.

The meeting started off relatively friendly. Picture: AFP

The dramatic public breakdown is the latest sign of the long-tense relationship between Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump.

The US president has alarmed Kyiv and European allies with his abrupt U-turn in US policy, ending what had been full-throated support for Ukraine’s attempt to defeat the Russian invasion.

Mr Trump has instead cast himself as a mediator between Putin and Mr Zelensky.

He Mr Zelensky that a truce is “fairly close” and insisted a deal he was set to sign with Mr Zelensky allowing US exploitation of Ukraine’s natural resources would be “very fair”.

Mr Trump said Ukraine would have to make “compromises” in a truce with Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour three years ago.

“You can’t do any deals without compromises. So certainly he’s going to have to make some compromises, but hopefully they won’t be as big as some people think,” he said.

US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky didn’t have a great chat. Picture: AFP

Row comes after thaw

The Oval Office outburst came a day after Mr Trump claimed he forgot about posting wild comments claiming Mr Zelensky was a “dictator”.

There have been claims the US President is using an intentionally provocative approach to dealing with issues facing the US by whipping up a firestorm of outrage with offensive jabs.

As such, Mr Trump purposefully directs the world’s attention to any topic he chooses.

Those “dictator” comments churned and churned through the global media, with many claiming the 78-year-old is “dangerous” given his comparatively soft stance on Putin.

‘Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that.’

Mr Trump walked back his derogatory comments aimed at Mr Zelensky, attempting to claim that he’d “forgotten” calling him a dictator just last week.

“Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that,” Mr Trump said. “I have a lot of respect for him.”

In the three years of conflict, the US has backed the nation to the tune of US$65.9 billion (AU$103 billion) in military aid.

An envoy of tanks, anti-air systems and mountains of ammunition has assisted Ukraine’s efforts to push back the constant Russian offensive. But that is all set to end under the Republican’s tenure.

The Ukrainian president was at the White House to sign a deal granting Washington access to the country’s oil, gas and rare earth metals. Picture: AFP

‘Peace, prosperity to everyone’

Some analysts hold firm that Mr Trump’s strategy is a slice of genius, claiming Ukraine is caught in an impossible meat grinder that will continue no matter the level of support from allied nations.

“Trump has taken an unwinnable war, found a way to end it, and bring peace, prosperity and security to everyone,” Fox News’ K. McFarland wrote this week.

“The deal gives the US access to much-needed rare earth minerals and helps us recoup some of our investment in Ukraine war. A win for us.

“It helps rebuild Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure. It puts thousands of American engineers, miners, builders and even bankers on the ground in eastern Ukraine, serving as a security guarantee to Ukraine. A win for Ukraine.”

Trump’s plan gives Putin an ‘off ramp’ to a war that has claimed countless of his nation’s men. Picture: AFP

McFarland believes Mr Trump’s placating of Mr Putin is a wise step towards fixing complex relations with Russia.

“It gives the US an opening to a better relationship with Russia with an aim to driving a wedge in the anti-American Sino-Russian alliance. A win for the US and our allies.

“It gives Russia an off-ramp to a difficult war and holds open the possibility of improved relations with the US, including in trade and investment. A win for Russia.”

We’ll have to see exactly how “everyone wins” in the coming weeks.

- with AFP

Originally published as Volodymyr Zelensky insists he’s not going anywhere after the US demanded his resign as president of Ukraine