Johnson’s remarks reflect a growing rift between Zelenskyy and the Trump administration, as well as a shift in how U.S. leaders view continued support for Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia.

Zelenskyy traveled to Washington last week for high-stakes discussions with Trump, Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other officials. The meeting, held in the Oval Office on Friday, quickly escalated into a heated exchange, with reporters present to witness the unfolding tensions. The primary topics of discussion included a proposed mineral rights deal between the United States and Ukraine and efforts to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. However, what was meant to be a diplomatic discussion quickly soured, leading to speculation about Zelenskyy’s standing with the United States.

During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Johnson expressed frustration over Zelenskyy’s stance, stating that the Ukrainian leader had demonstrated an unwillingness to move forward with peace negotiations. “President Trump is trying to get these two parties to a point of peace,” Johnson said. “What President Zelenskyy did in the White House was effectively signal to us that he’s not ready for that yet, and I think that’s a great disappointment.”