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02 March 2025•Update: 02 March 2025
WASHINGTON
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski has criticized US President Donald Trump’s heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, breaking from fellow Republicans who have largely backed Trump’s approach to Ukraine.
In an X post on Saturday, the senator from Alaska expressed deep concern over the Trump administration's reluctance to acknowledge Russia’s role in the war with Ukraine and the possibility of ending US support.
"This week started with administration officials refusing to acknowledge that Russia started the war in Ukraine," said Murkowski. "It ends with a tense, shocking conversation in the Oval Office and whispers from the White House that they may try to end all U.S. support for Ukraine."
"I know foreign policy is not for the faint of heart, but right now, I am sick to my stomach as the administration appears to be walking away from our allies and embracing Putin, a threat to democracy and U.S. values around the world," she wrote.
Murkowski's rebuke comes a day after the fiery exchange between Zelenskyy, Trump, and US Vice President JD Vance at the Oval Office meeting in the White House.
Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader's attitude during the exchange, while Zelenskyy expressed his expectation of support for his country.
The highly undiplomatic war of words lasted roughly for 10 minutes as Zelenskyy sought to defend his handling of the more than three-year conflict with Russia.
Zelenskyy departed the White House following the public spat. A planned signing ceremony for a deal on critical minerals and news conference were canceled.
Speaking to reporters outside of the White House, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham took aim at Zelenskyy for the heated exchange, saying: "What I saw in the Oval office was disrespectful and I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelenskyy again.
Graham called the meeting a “complete, utter disaster” and said he has “never been more proud” of Trump.
Asked if the Ukrainian leader should resign, Graham said: “He either needs to resign or send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.”
