Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday that he would be “ready” to resign if it would guarantee peace for Ukraine, suggesting he could trade his position for NATO membership.
During a press conference, Zelensky was asked if he would step down to ensure peace, to which he responded, “If [it guarantees] peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to resign, I am ready. I can exchange it for NATO.”
Previously, Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine’s military would need to double in size if it was denied NATO membership, particularly after U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggested that Ukraine joining the alliance was unrealistic.
Zelensky’s comments follow escalating tensions with Donald Trump, who recently accused Ukraine of instigating the ongoing conflict. Trump later acknowledged that “Russia attacked,” while placing blame on President Biden and Zelensky for not having settled the situation sooner. Zelensky retorted that Trump was operating in a “disinformation space,” leading Trump to label him a “dictator,” further straining relations at a critical moment.
On Sunday, as Ukraine faced an unprecedented attack, which included 267 drones launched by Russia, Zelensky emphasized the need for unity among allied nations to achieve lasting peace. “Every day, our people are resisting aerial terror,” he declared, denoting the latest assault as “the largest attack since Iranian drones began targeting Ukrainian cities.”
Zelensky also addressed the draft agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine regarding rare earth minerals and other resources, indicating that he hopes the U.S. won’t suspend military support during negotiations. “I hope it won’t influence other steps of the United States,” he told CNN.
Regarding his relationship with Trump, Zelensky stressed the importance of maintaining partnerships between nations. “It is essential to have the support of the president and continuing bipartisan support from the U.S.,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Zelensky’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, exited the forum early to discuss the agreement with U.S. partners. He confirmed that progress is being made in negotiations, expressing gratitude for continued American support throughout the conflict.
The discussion indicated a significant focus on collaboration with U.S. leaders as Ukraine aims to solidify its security and territorial integrity in the face of ongoing threats.
Credit: CNN
