US Senator Lindsey Graham said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky needs to "change or go" after his meeting with Donald Trump on Friday. Speaking to Fox News after the high-profile meeting between the Ukrainian and US leaders descended into chaos, Mr Graham said: "This is a missed opportunity.
"The message for the Ukrainian people is: I don't know if Zelensky can get you where you need to be with the United States. Either he dramatically changes or you need to get somebody new." Posting on X, Mr Graham also said: "I've never been more proud of President Trump for showing the American people - and the world - you don't trifle with this man.
"He wanted to get a ceasefire. He wants to end the war and Zelensky felt like he needed to bait Trump in the Oval Office."
While Mr Graham showed an unwavering support for Mr Trump, some Republican supporters of Ukraine lamented the outcome of the meeting.
In a statement, Representative Don Bacon, R-Neb., said it was “A bad day for America’s foreign policy.”
He said: “Ukraine wants independence, free markets and rule of law.
"It wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and our Western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom."
The fiery exchange appeared to be triggered by Mr Zelensky asking Vice President JD Vance what he meant by diplomacy, prompting the Vice President to accuse him of being "disrespectful".
A visibly angry Mr Trump then shouted: "You're gambling with World War 3."
Mr Zelensky left the White House shortly afterwards.
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