Zelensky said he is “ready” to step down as president of Ukraine if it results in peace. Hear why Zelensky offers to quit as Ukraine’s president.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he was “ready” to step down as head of state if it meant bringing peace to his nation, implying that he could exchange it for NATO membership. He responded, “If [it guarantees] peace for Ukraine if you need me to resign, I am ready. I can exchange it for NATO.”
The president of Ukraine has already stated that if NATO rejects his nation’s application for membership, the size of his army will have to double. US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth stated earlier this month that Kyiv’s accession to NATO was not conceivable.
Zelensky’s remarks come after a heated argument with Donald Trump in which the US president wrongly claimed that Ukraine was the cause of the war.
Trump later acknowledged that “Russia attacked,” but he blamed Zelensky and his predecessor Joe Biden for not putting an end to the conflict sooner.
European allies were alarmed when US and Russian officials gathered in Saudi Arabia this week for “exploratory” discussions about how to end the war, leaving Kyiv to observe from a distance. On Sunday, Zelensky described his strategy with the Trump administration as “pragmatic.”
“We need to do our best to bring a lasting and just peace to Ukraine. This is possible in the unity of all partners – we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who wants a lasting peace,” Zelensky said on X.
The chief of Ukraine’s defence intelligence agency, Kyrylo Budanov, described the midnight strike as “a terrorist act, purely a means of intimidation.”
Zelensky also discussed the proposed agreement between the United States and Ukraine about natural resources, including rare earth minerals.
As part of larger talks to end the war in Ukraine, the US is attempting to obtain access to Ukraine’s vital minerals and other resources. Ukraine has been requesting security assurances in exchange.
During the news conference, Zelensky expressed his desire for a successful accord and his hope that the United States would not halt its military assistance to Ukraine while negotiating a deal.
“We will sign this – the first agreement, or memo, memo on which base we will prepare other documents,” he said. “So, I hope it will not influence other steps of the United States, and they will not cancel or stop or freeze any support, especially military support to Ukraine. That’s crucial for us.”
When asked if he believes he can repair his connection with Trump, Zelensky responded that presidents shouldn’t sever ties with their nations.
“That’s why, for me, it is very important to have the support of the president, and the support of the senate, congress, your two parties, but first of all the support for your people. And I count on it very much and I am thankful we have it,” he said.
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, stated that he had to leave the forum where Zelensky was speaking early in order to have a “crucial discussion” with American partners over the accord.
“We are making progress in our work. A constructive conversation. The USA is our partner and we are grateful to the American people, grateful for the bipartisan support -you have been with us all three years of the Russian invasion,” Yermak said.