Senator Bernie Sanders has condemned calls for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to resign following a tense White House meeting with President Donald Trump.
Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, Sanders labeled the suggestion as "horrific" and defended Ukraine's leader as a key figure in the fight against Russian aggression.
"Zelensky is leading a country, trying to defend democracy against an authoritarian dictator, [Vladimir] Putin," Sanders said. He criticized Trump's accusation that Zelensky is a dictator who started the war with Russia. "He's got it exactly backwards."
Sanders went on to advocate for standing by Ukraine. "Our job is to defend the 250 year tradition that we have of being the democratic leader of the world, not turn our backs on a struggling country that is trying to do the right thing."
Sanders' remarks came in response to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Lindsey Graham, who suggested Zelensky should step aside after Friday's Oval Office diplomatic standoff. During the contentious meeting, Trump dismissed Zelensky's request for U.S. security guarantees while negotiating a minerals deal and disparaged him for failing to show gratitude.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski called the exchange "shocking," while Democratic Senator Mark Kelly described it as "a dumpster fire of diplomacy." Leaders from across Europe weighed in as well, sharing statements of support for Zelensky and concerns regarding the Trump administration's apparent departure from established international alliances.
Pro-Ukraine protests erupted across the U.S. following Friday's meeting. However, a CBS poll released Sunday showed a slim majority of Americans (52%) support Ukraine.
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