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Senior officials in Washington signaled on Sunday, March 2, 2025, that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might need to relinquish his post to pave the way for a peace agreement, a suggestion that highlights President Donald Trump’s striking pivot in handling the ongoing conflict with Russia.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, speaking to CNN, emphasized the necessity for a Ukrainian leader capable of negotiating effectively with both the United States and Russia to bring the war to a close, hinting that Zelensky’s tenure could hinge on his alignment with this goal.
He further indicated that should Zelensky’s personal or political priorities appear to stray from the objective of halting the hostilities, it would pose a significant challenge to U.S. strategy—a veiled critique that echoed broader Republican sentiment.
These observations from Waltz and other prominent GOP figures come on the heels of Trump’s abrupt rupture with Zelensky during a heated Oval Office encounter on Friday, February 28, a clash that laid bare deepening tensions.
The extraordinary public fallout—marked by Trump’s accusation of Zelensky’s lack of respect—culminated in the Ukrainian leader’s departure from the White House without finalizing a proposed accord on leveraging Ukraine’s mineral wealth, a setback that underscored the fraying of their diplomatic thread.
Zelensky had tried, during the heated exchange, to say that Kyiv still needed security guarantees if it is to trust a peace deal with Moscow after a bitter three-year war sparked by the Russian invasion.
Significantly, given the uncertainty whether a deal can be salvaged, Trump on Sunday shared a reposting on his Truth Social platform arguing that the mineral agreement itself would provide the needed security.
Read also: Ukraine, US Minerals Deal Still On The Table – Zelensky
“Trump ensures that Americans will be involved in Ukraine’s mining industry,” the message read. “This prevents Russia from launching an invasion, because attacking Ukraine would mean endangering American lives — something that would force the U.S. to respond.”
During appearances on Sunday talk programs on March 2, 2025, Republican leaders sidestepped queries about the trustworthiness of Russian President Vladimir Putin, instead pointing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the more formidable impediment to achieving peace.
House Speaker Mike Johnson asserted that Zelensky must either regain clarity and approach negotiations with a renewed sense of appreciation for U.S. support or step aside, allowing another figure to steer Ukraine toward reconciliation—a stark ultimatum reflecting GOP frustration.
He further emphasized that while the decision ultimately rests with the Ukrainian populace, it is incumbent upon Zelensky to take the essential steps to advance the process, framing the onus squarely on Kyiv’s current leadership to realign with American expectations.
