Will Zelenskyy Be Pushed to Resign? Growing Speculation After Trump Dustup
Calls for Zelenskyy’s Resignation: Who Is Pushing the Narrative?
Lindsey Graham has been the most vocal American politician calling for Zelenskyy to step aside, but he is not alone. Certain members of the Trump administration and other Republican figures have hinted at the need for a leadership change in Ukraine, arguing that Zelenskyy’s combative approach is complicating U.S. efforts to sustain support for the war.
However, Ukrainian officials and international leaders have pushed back strongly against these suggestions. Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik directly responded to Graham’s remarks, saying, “With all due respect, Ukrainians elect their own leaders, and we are known to start revolutions when our leaders don’t act in our best interests. It is not up to a Russian president, an American president, or U.S. officials to dictate who should lead Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy’s Stance: No Plans to Resign
Despite mounting pressure, Zelenskyy has made it clear he has no intention of resigning—unless Ukraine is granted NATO membership. During his Fox News interview, he reiterated, “No. This decision belongs to the Ukrainian people alone.”
He also highlighted the crucial role of continued U.S. support, acknowledging that Ukraine’s war effort would be far more difficult without American aid. However, he maintained that Ukraine should not be forced into political compromises in exchange for assistance. “If the U.S. supports NATO [accession] for Ukraine, that would be enough. I have done everything I needed to do. If someone is unhappy with me, that’s fine—but I will not step down.”
If Zelenskyy Were to Step Down, Who Could Lead Ukraine?
Should Zelenskyy leave office, several high-profile figures could emerge as potential successors:
- Vitali Klitschko: The mayor of Kyiv and former world boxing champion has been a prominent advocate for Ukraine on the global stage. Although he has previously clashed with Zelenskyy, Klitschko recently warned that holding elections during wartime could “tear the country apart from within.” His strong backing in the capital and international recognition make him a serious contender.
- Ruslan Stefanchuk: As the chairman of Ukraine’s parliament and a close ally of Zelenskyy, Stefanchuk has staunchly opposed the idea of elections amid the ongoing conflict. He has argued that Ukraine needs “weapons, not ballots” at this critical moment.
- Kyrylo Budanov: The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency is among the most trusted figures in Ukraine, even surpassing Zelenskyy in popularity. While he has not publicly indicated any political ambitions, his leadership could bring stability during a crisis.
- General Valery Zaluzhny: The former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s armed forces and current ambassador to the U.K. remains highly respected. Despite being dismissed from his military post in 2024 due to disagreements with Zelenskyy, he continues to enjoy strong public support, with approval ratings around 80%.
The Future of Ukraine’s Leadership
The uncertainty surrounding Zelenskyy’s presidency comes at a crucial time for Ukraine, as the country remains locked in a grueling war with Russia while heavily reliant on Western aid. A leadership transition could disrupt coordination with allies, weaken Ukraine’s position in negotiations, and create internal instability at a moment when national unity is vital.
A shift in leadership could also alter Ukraine’s approach to peace talks. A more conciliatory leader might push for a settlement, potentially at the cost of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Conversely, a hardline successor could face challenges in securing continued international support—especially if tensions with Washington escalate under Trump’s influence.
For now, Zelenskyy remains adamant about staying in office, asserting that his fate lies in the hands of the Ukrainian people. However, with political pressure mounting both domestically and abroad, the question remains: can he hold onto power, or will external and internal forces eventually force him to step aside?
NP Editor’s Note:
A mineral rights deal would have been the best possible outcome for Ukraine, as it would have ensured a vested U.S. interest in the country’s future. Zelenskyy, however, appears to believe he can reclaim all of Ukraine’s lost territories—an unrealistic expectation given that no country is willing to deploy troops to expel Russian forces and risk nuclear war.
Ukraine has been offered security, but Trump is correct—Europe must take on more responsibility for the conflict.
Perhaps a more patriotic american response to this issue would be “should trump and Vance be pressured to resign”? We have never had an administration promoting the anti-American values that we see on a daily basis with these two jokers. We are heading rapidly to the scrap bin of history as a once great country falls under the influence of a Russian autocrat and a zealous billionaire seeking to wreck the US as a world power. Totally disgusting…
I disagree
List the “anti-American” values you speak of.
ES: don’t know his list, but gee, dumping on Ukraine and supporting Putin seems anti-American.
It’s clear that Putin is the sole aggressor hear having invaded Ukraine for a second time, the first being Crimea. It’s clear from Crimea that his intent is to subjugate all Ukrainians. That seems anti-American.
We are the strongest, toughest, wealthiest country in the world. Don is know as the leader of the free world. We don’t beat up on little guys, little countries, for show. That was not the shining city on the hill. As I said earlier:
“I would think both sides of the aisle could agree that this was not our best moment displaying that shiny city on the hill.
Reagan: “In my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.”
That was a bully beating up on a little guy.
Ed, we have never had a president who cozied up to a dictator-Trump did this in his first term and is continuing that in his second. Vlad is not a friend of the US, we should not have a president promoting Vlad’s values-especially when anyone with a working brain (not sure that includes you) realizes that Vlad decided he could easily take over Ukraine, so he invaded a sovereign nation-an Ally of the US (note-Russia is not considered an ally of the US by any reasonable person). Then of course there is the bullshit that trump spouts off about taking over Greenland-territory of an ally of ours, a fellow NATO member, making Canada our 51st state-again an ally of ours, taking back the Panama Canal, by force if necessary, again threatening an ally of ours, forcing the Palestinians out of Gaza so he can build a big beautiful resort? Of course there is an unelected official who understands nothing about government who trump is allowing to call the shots in eliminating government positions, despite the fact that he doesn’t understand what those positions actually do. Do I really have to go on? Any reasonable person realizes that these actions are un-American and the idiot needs to be removed from office immediately, but we all know you are not a reasonable person Mr Ed…
So, Mike…
Are you saying that continuing to allow our Historic Patriotic TRADITIONAL American Values to be “fundamentally (forcibly) changed” into a BLOATED and CORRUPT Governmental system is a better way to assure our future as a FREE and prosperous nation?
I’ll agree with you that no system can be absolutely perfect in this imperfect world that we live in… but the current liberal philosophical camp, that has systematically infiltrated the democratic party with Cultural-Marxism, simply needs to systematically be identified and then completely swept out of OUR CORRUPTED GOVERNMENT+ NEWS MEDIA in order to survive as a FREE and prosperous nation.
In other words, Conservative Leadership is the only way we’ll ever steer our country away from the inevitable cliff it’s been headed for, or our future as a FREE and Sovereign Nation IS GUARANTEED to fail no less than all other historic Socialist, Marxist, Communistic governments have either in the past, or will continue to in the future… always resulting in tyranny, destruction, death, and despair.
Having our eyes wide-shut or eyes wide-open is our free-will choice to make… and will also dictate our consequences to bear.
Hosea 4:6
Roy C.
DONALD TRUMP HOLDS A MEETING:
Donald Trump meets with the Queen. He asks her, “Your Majesty, how do you run such an efficient government? Are there any tips you can give to me?”
“Well,” says the Queen, “the most important thing is to surround yourself with intelligent people.”
Trump frowns. “But how do I know the people around me are really intelligent?”
The Queen takes a sip of tea. “Oh, that’s easy. You just ask them to answer an intelligence riddle.”
The Queen pushes a button on her intercom. “Please send Benedict Cumberbatch in here, would you?”
Benedict Cumberbatch walks into the room. “Yes, my Queen?”
The Queen smiles. “Answer me this, please, Benny. Your mother and father have a child. It is not your brother and it is not your sister. Who is it?”
Without pausing for a moment, Benedict answers, “That would be me.”
“Yes! Very good,” says the Queen.
Back at the White House, Trump asks to speak with Vice President JD Vance.
“JD, answer this for me. Your mother and father have a child. It’s not your brother and it’s not your sister. Who is it?”
“I’m not sure,” says the Vice President. “Let me get back to you on that one.”
JD goes to his advisers and asks everyone, but none can give him an answer. Finally, he ends up in the men’s room and recognizes Kash Patel’s shoes in the next stall.
JD shouts, “Kashy! Can you answer this for me? Your mother and your father have a child and it’s not your brother or your sister.
Who is it?
Kash yells back, “That’s easy. It’s me!”
JD smiles. “Thanks!” and goes back to the Oval Office to speak with Trump.
“Say, I did some research and I have the answer to that riddle. It’s Kash Patel”
Trump gets up, stomps over to JD, and angrily yells into his face, “No, you idiot! It’s Benedict Cumberbatch!”
Frank Danger The Queen’s Test held true for Trump 1.0 and has been validated in what Trump 2.0 has done to date.
If Trump supporters say Trump is intelligent then by the same measure Vance is brilliant. The whole world saw what our country’s highly esteemed executive branch is made of with last Friday’s televised advertisement. Had Musk appeared in the frame with Trump and Vance the world would have a total picture of why America is going down.
Watch as Trump’s tariffs take hold. He will never admit they are not sound economic policy. He does not understand real cause and effect. But what is happening is the belief that if two and three wrongs are given enough money and power their combined efforts can make anything right. Time after time the facts bear out that when added together two and three wrongs deliver two and three times the disastrous end result.
Trump, Vance with Musk in the wings are triple the trouble in acting out bad policy.
Amen, Friday’s disastrous undiplomatic show of bullying by an American sitting President and VP disgraced the Oval Office and brought down the dignity of the White House. Leaders the world over are showing disgust over Trump and Vance teaming up against Zelenskyy with incorrect information and unjust accusations.
Trump and Vance put there dog and pony show on live TV and congratulated themselves on a job well done.
First, Trump went in intending to delegitimize Zelensky and the War in Ukraine with Vance as his mouthpiece/sidekick. Vance embarrassed himself with his uninformed comments and hasty accusations
Now lame duck Lindsey Graham and his fellow puddle ducks for Trump are quick to back Trump in support of his debacles with Friday’s fracas being the frosting on the month’s worst baked cake done by a President in the White House kitchen.
The appropriate attitude for those voting for Trump should be shame and sorrow. No matter how many ways Trump, Vance, and the Republican press wants to slice and rehash their part in Fridays massacre, their want is to shift blame for their screwup on everyone but themselves It’s classic Trump skating action, distancing and denial. “I never said that” and the most recent is “I can’t believe I said that”. When caught in a lie or a jerk response his solution is making light of its seriousness.
After Friday’s anti-democracy and pro-autocracy performance brought the curtain down on Ukraine’s war for independence the status America once enjoyed was set back over 80 years.
As Larry likes to brag, he will refer to previous commentaries as proof of some power of pundit prophecy for a current happening. We commenters defamed by Larry have our justification made for predictive evaluations of Trump/Vance that they were headed for a great fall. And that’s precisely what Friday’s meeting was. And, only Trump, Vance , the White House clique, and the Republican caucus think Trump and his lackey VP think it was a righteous win, they are mistaken in their belief on this reality as well as their administration’s screw up all down the line from day one in office.
No matter what you think, that was a first. An ambush. A bushwhacker’s gangbang on the high ground of home turf with 12:1 odds in the room and 2:1 odds on direct attack. And the owner of the affair, our brave Secretary of State who is anti-Russia sat clutching his balls with pursed lips. Latter he turned on his principles and said “atta boy.” As did Lyndsey Graham who praised Zelensky in the morning meeting with him and asked him to resign in the afternoon. Other brave Republican Senators pulled Zelensky praise webpages by evening, some only brought up that morning.
Are we joining Team Putin? Do we have a new ally?
He was there to sign the minerals deal that was pure extortion just like the Trump/Ukraine call re: dirt on Biden, so Trump had gotten his way but needed more? I mean he was going to sign the deal, so how did the deal master general drop the deal? So we opt for a public smack down versus behind-the-door deal making by the master of the deal? Weird. If I was Ukraine, I would say FUCK YOU and sign the minerals deal with China the next day.
And what’s up with Trump? Is he losing control? He just let’s JD take over the meeting just like he let’s Musk run the show. Who’s in charge? I have been in many a business meeting with Presidents, CEO’s, VPs and the like and IF a JD jumped in on his better, it would be the penalty box if not a complete CLM. In Japan, there might be violence…
And last time I checked the “rules,” one does not dump on one’s ally in public. We don’t stab our partners in the back with a surprise attack. Especially by a surprise attack. Especially when you are the host.
Who won here? Ukraine, nope, they were begging to begin with and now don’t have even an avenue of approach beyond an ultimatum to submit or don’t even come back. US — sure, our allies love us even more now, not. Russia? Well, their press says this was a very good day for Russia. TASS was there live-streaming it all to Mother Russia while AP was banned, Reuters was banned. And now it’s clear —- Trump wants Ukraine to give in, give up, and give stuff away. Russia is not being asked to give up anything. And it seems they knew in advance it would be a great piece of TV as the Don noted.
This was a very sad day for America. We seem to be setting up for Trump to treat Ukraine worse than he treated those brave Kurds he hung out to dry. NATO nations will not trust Trump. Might even form an EU version including North America sans us. It was unprofessional to lose it like that in public. Never has their been a worse Presidential press session.
Trump promised to end the war before inauguration, said it would be easy. He didn’t even come close. Now he’s committed to completion in the first 100 days, we are down 30 and it’s not exactly moving forward. He says now it’s hard. On the job learning? Thought that ended in 2020?
As Luke Skywalker branded for Star Wars: “”I have a bad feeling about this…..”
I would think both sides of the aisle could agree that this was not our best moment displaying that shiny city on the hill.
Reagan: “In my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.”
Gee, I think I missed that part in this meeting.
Having negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts with Uncle Sam, I have never seen a more amatuerish example of negotiating than Zelensky.
WHO THE HELL ADVISED HIM THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO ATTMEPT TO MAKE HIS CASE BY AMBUSHING AN ALLY IN THE MEDIA?
Even his Ambassador knew it was a mistake.
And he started it off badly. First, supporting – and even campaigning for Biden (his gravy train) – during the election was a terrible idea all the way around. Second, clearly he had forgotten that it was Trump who sent him the Javelin missiles that killed – massacred – the advance of Russia’s tank columns. Third, he had clearly NOT seen, or been briefed, about Trump’s comments regarding him showing up to the Biden White House “wearing a t-shirt.”
Then, like some petulant child still upset about not being invited to the cafeteria table, lays down demands that make any negotiation a non-starter.
Bad. Bad. Bad.
Yes. Russia invaded Ukraine. That is 1,000% on Putin. But this is not a NATO problem. It is a UN problem.
Until that waste of money realizes it, you will not and do not get parties to the table by calling them names. Sure as hell not Putin.
But while Ukraine has done a helluva job fighting, the stark reality is that they can not win this war. The good news is neither can Putin.
The only way out is at the table. But Trump nailed it. “He is too angry to do business with.”
Trump is playing Three Dimensional Chess.
Zelensky’s playing “Candy Land”
and losing.
Last point: I’m fairly sure Ukrainians would be the ones deciding who leads them…….if their leader allowed for elections.
Oh, wait. Zelensky called them off. Despite many other warring nations being able to hold them and fight…….Britain…..US……Israel……
Doesn’t that speak volumes about Zelensky?
Agreed, 100%. But Trump will get the mineral deal one way or another. That is something the U.S. needs, and it is the only way that the U.S. will have enough of a vested interest to defend Ukraine. Trump may sign it with Z and then work for his replacement.
What a disgusting point of view you have joe. We are the richest country in the world, and in the past we had values that we wanted the rest of the world to emulate. In the trump era, that view is dead. We feel we should get monetarily compensated for possibly doing the right thing. Those are not my values, nor those of my more liberal brethren. We do the right thing because we can and should, realizing that in the past we have consumed far more of the worlds riches than we are are entitled to. You and trump are both disgusting creatures, I feel sorry for you soulless beings….
Bob, remember this is Don’s house, Don’s home turf, and having 12:1 odds in the room, 2:1 odds in the verbal conflict, doing the do publicly seems a planned ambush of a gangbang nature. “Manners maketh man” was not on display at Don’s house by Don or JD.
“Having negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts with Uncle Sam, I have never seen a more amatuerish example of negotiating than Zelensky.” And Trump was professional? How often during your negotiations have you seen the Govt unleash a vitriolic nonsensical rant like that? Did they ever mention Hunter’s laptop and the bathroom in your negotiations? Did you not find the Trump rant amateurish? They seemed more upset at the number of ‘thank you’s’ that anything substantive. And the javelins? Fuck, during Obama, Ukraine was not democracy and it’s Putin-friendly dictator was elected thanks to the shameless selling of Democracy by no other than Roger Stone and Paul Manafort’s support of pro-Kremlin Ukrainians, for money. If Obama had given weapons to that Ukrainian government, you would have stormed Congress, and I would be right there with you.
The real question is does not dumping on Ukraine favor Putin and is that in any way good for us? Good for the world? I realize you are on Trump’s side, but do you side with Russia on this?
“WHO THE HELL ADVISED HIM THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO ATTMEPT TO MAKE HIS CASE BY AMBUSHING AN ALLY IN THE MEDIA?” Who is on first, who threw the first punch, whose house was it? Who stacked the room? Who ganged up on who? Who invited TASS to live-stream the whole affair while banning AP and Reuters?
“Even his Ambassador knew it was a mistake.” Many watching became physically ill at the antics.
“And he started it off badly. First, supporting – and even campaigning for Biden (his gravy train) – during the election was a terrible idea all the way around.” Like Putin plugging for the Don?
“Second, clearly he had forgotten that it was Trump who sent him the Javelin missiles that killed – massacred – the advance of Russia’s tank columns.” Who cares? The truth is Obama sent sheets because the fucking place was in Russia’s control, not a democracy, having been fucked by the likes of Roger Stone. PS: if they have an election, Roger will try to fuck them again for Russia.
“Third, he had clearly NOT seen, or been briefed, about Trump’s comments regarding him showing up to the Biden White House “wearing a t-shirt.” So I guess Elon in the cabinet meeting in a T-shirt and maga fucker-trucker’s hat is fucking a skippy with you. Asking Zelensky to dress funny would be like asking Fidel to don the suit, or maybe the Sheik to drop the robe. Ridiculous petty bullshit rationalization for the fact your side fucked up, lost it, became unprofessional and now you are attempting to cover it up.
“Then, like some petulant child still upset about not being invited to the cafeteria table, lays down demands that make any negotiation a non-starter.” What demands are you talking about? And if that’s the case, then why go public and attempt to work it real time in public? That’s the art of the deal?
“It is a UN problem.” That’s just fucking funny coming from you. Yeah, get the UN to save you..good call. Fact is — why isn’t Trump pursuing making it a UN problem to solve? What’s he waiting for; he said it was ez to end the war before inauguration. Now he says end of April in which case he’s got a lot of work to do..
“Until that waste of money realizes it, you will not and do not get parties to the table by calling them names.” Freakin funny again, you calling a name caller out. You have not a leg to stand on on this one son.
“The only way out is at the table. But Trump nailed it. “He is too angry to do business with.”” Yes, Trump is too angry to do business. And if that was an example of the art of the deal, he has lost it.
“I’m fairly sure Ukrainians would be the ones deciding who leads them…….if their leader allowed for elections.” Yeah, I would say Putin, Roger Stone, and god knows what other evil spirit would attempt to rule the day. And his Constitution says no elections during martial law.
“Doesn’t that speak volumes about Zelensky?” Russia’s leaders are over the top happy. On the air and in writing happy. Doesn’t that speak volumes about your speech here?
I too have negotiated hundreds of millions in business meetings. IF I witnessed a breakdown like this, I would have taken the meeting offline and out of the public view UNTIL we could reach either a consensus OR an ending. I would not air our dirty laundry only to delight our enemies and do nothing for either Ukraine, America, or the 50 countries in the coalition we just fucked over instead.
You ignore one very important aspect of this situation-Trump invited the media to this meeting, purely for the reason that he wanted you idiots to see how ‘strong’ he was in dealing with the Ukraine issue. Now we all know that the only way to get anything with trump is to kiss his ass, so from that aspect perhaps that is what Zelensky should have done. But it is pretty disgusting that the only way to get the POS in the Oval Office to do what is right is to kiss ass..
Mike Waltz has called for Zelensky’s replacement so that someone really serious in peace can talk it to the end with the big powers. NATO is becoming a liability for the U.S. Musk wants us to get out of both UN and NATO. I think it’s a good idea. Let America carry itself forward without the world on its back.