The statements don't contradict each other.
What you overlooked was what Naruto told Sasuke during their encounter at Orochimaru's hideout, which happened between the two statements you are comparing.
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Naruto thought Sasuke had to be "saved", or he (Naruto) wasn't worthy of becoming Hokage. So it makes sense that Naruto would later say he would either save Sauke or die trying.
The relative importance of each of those goals is also clear by how Kishi handled both in the manga.
The final conflict and resolution with Sasuke received 5 chapters. The ending scene of them making the reconciliation sign was envisioned by Kishi in 2006 (from his interview at Comic-con.).
Naruto becoming Hokage was done as a post-Gaiden one-shot with a comedy plot twist. He never even attended his own ceremony.
This disappointed a lot of fans, but it also proves that the Hokage title itself wasn't a big deal. It's Naruto's desire and ability to protect everyone (even from themselves as in Sasuke's case) that matters.
