Johnson calls for new leadership in Ukraine amid tensions

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

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Washington, D.C. – Amid growing political tensions following a contentious meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former President Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) voiced his belief that Ukraine needs new leadership. On Sunday’s Meet the Press, Johnson stated that someone other than Zelensky should guide Ukraine, emphasizing that the country’s leadership needs to refocus on peace talks.
Johnson criticized Zelensky’s leadership in the wake of the failed U.S.-Ukraine mineral deal, which was expected to fuel peace negotiations. “Something has to change,” Johnson remarked. “Either he needs to come to his senses and return to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country to do that.” The meeting between Trump and Zelensky, which initially aimed to finalize the deal, devolved into a heated exchange, with the Ukrainian president leaving the White House early.
This latest development adds to ongoing concerns about the state of U.S.-Ukraine relations, with some Republicans now calling for a shift in leadership. However, Johnson firmly opposed those urging Zelensky’s resignation, aligning with the broader GOP stance that leadership transitions in foreign governments should not be imposed from the outside.
While some GOP members voiced doubts over Zelensky’s future, Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) expressed his disagreement with calls for Zelensky to step down, citing his disapproval of foreign leader removal. Meanwhile, Speaker Johnson underscored that the U.S. was not abandoning Ukraine but emphasized that Zelensky’s priorities were misaligned. He reassured the public that the U.S. would continue to support Ukraine, despite the internal political turmoil.
Johnson also spoke out against Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing him as a “dangerous” figure and reaffirming the need for the U.S. to stand firm against Russia’s aggressive actions alongside allies like China, Iran, and North Korea.
This latest round of political rhetoric is sure to influence the ongoing discussions about the U.S.’s role in Ukraine’s future and the stability of global alliances.