Washington: US House Speaker Mike Johnson said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had a tense meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Friday, needs to "come to his senses" and show gratitude or "someone else needs to lead the country."

According to Anadolu Agency, Johnson emphasized that Trump is actively working to bring the involved parties to a peace agreement. He highlighted that President Trump has made it clear that if Zelenskyy is ready for peace, a deal can be negotiated. However, Johnson noted that Zelenskyy's actions during his visit to the White House indicated that he might not be ready to pursue that path yet.

Johnson criticized Zelenskyy for his behavior during the meeting, stating that the Ukrainian President "berated and interrupted his host, instead of expressing gratitude for the extraordinary help that the US has provided his country." He also discussed the mineral rights deal between the US and Ukraine, which is designed to benefit both nations by providing access to rare earth minerals and enhancing security for Ukraine. Johnson described it as an economic partnership that ensures the defense of US interests.

The meeting at the White House on Friday reportedly turned confrontational when Zelenskyy voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of Washington's dialogue with Moscow in achieving peace in Ukraine. In response, Trump and Vance criticized Zelenskyy for what they perceived as a lack of gratitude towards the US. Trump stated, "You're gambling with World War III," adding that Zelenskyy's actions were "very disrespectful to the country - this country."

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham echoed Johnson's sentiment, suggesting that Zelenskyy "either needs to resign or send somebody over that we can do business with."