Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed calls for his resignation from US officials, including Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, following a tense Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump. The meeting, intended to improve the US-Ukraine relations, reportedly became heated, leading to criticism from American lawmakers. Both Graham and House Speaker Mike Johnson later suggested that Zelenskyy should either step down or delegate someone else to negotiate with the US.

Before departing from the UK, Zelenskyy responded to Graham's remarks, stating that only the Ukrainian people can decide their leadership. In a pointed response, he suggested that if Graham wanted a say in Ukraine’s leadership, he could apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

"I can give [Lindsay Graham] citizenship of Ukraine, and he will become a citizen of our country. And then his voice will start to gain weight, and I will hear him as a citizen of Ukraine on the topic of who must be the president. The president of Ukraine will have to be chosen not in Lindsay Graham's home but in Ukraine," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy admitted there was one condition under which he would consider stepping down—if his resignation ensured Ukraine’s NATO membership. "I have said that I am exchanging for NATO membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission," he said. However, he also pointed out that removing him from office would not be a simple process, as it would require preventing him from running in future elections. "To change me, it will not be easy because it is not enough to simply hold elections. You would need to prevent me from participating. And it will be a bit more difficult."

Zelenskyy faced criticism following his tense meeting with Trump. Before the discussion, Graham had privately advised him to be cautious. "I told him this morning, 'Don't take the bait. Don't let the media or anyone else get you into an argument with President Trump,'" Graham told the reporters afterwards. However, after the meeting, Graham changed his tone dramatically, calling it a "complete, utter disaster" and questioning whether the US could "ever do business with Zelenskyy again."

He further said, "What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful, and I think most Americans saw a guy that they would not want to go in business with." Despite the tensions, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is still in contact with the Trump administration, although "not on my level."