Zelensky Open to Resigning in Exchange for Ukraine’s NATO Membership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly expressed willingness to step down if it secures Ukraine’s NATO membership. Get the latest on this geopolitical development.

Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his willingness to “give up” the presidency for the sake of achieving peace, as the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches.

The Ukrainian president responded to a question during a news conference by saying, “I am prepared to vacate this chair if necessary and I can also exchange it for NATO membership for Ukraine.”

He made these remarks following US President Donald Trump’s description of Zelensky as a “dictator without elections” earlier in the week.

“I wasn’t offended by the comment, but a dictator would be,” responded Zelensky, who was democratically elected in May 2019, on Sunday.

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Zelensky stated that his main concern at the moment is Ukraine’s security, and it isn’t his “dream” to remain president for ten years.

Ukrainian law prohibits holding elections while martial law is in effect, a condition that has been active since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

EU and world leaders are scheduled to travel to Kyiv on Monday to express their support for Ukraine and engage in discussions about security guarantees.

Among those expected to attend the meeting in person are Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO would be “on the table” during the meeting, though he was unsure about how the discussions would conclude. He expressed hope that this meeting could serve as a “turning point.”

Regarding Trump, Zelensky expressed his desire to see the US president as a partner for Ukraine rather than merely a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.

“I truly hope for it to go beyond mere mediation… that’s insufficient,” he stated during the press conference. His remarks arise amid concerns among European political leaders that Kyiv might be marginalized in discussions aimed at resolving the war.

Zelensky was also inquired about a possible agreement promoted by the Trump administration to grant the US access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals.

“We are making progress,” Zelensky stated, noting that Ukrainian and US officials had been in communication regarding the deal.

The Ukrainian leader stated, “We are ready to share,” but emphasized that Washington must first guarantee Russian President Vladimir Putin “brings this war to an end.”

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Ukrainian officials reported that a few hours prior to Zelensky’s press conference, Russia had carried out its most extensive drone assault on Ukraine since the conflict began.

On Saturday night, Yuriy Ignat, the spokesman for Ukraine’s Air Force Command, reported that a “record” number of 267 Russian drones were deployed in a single coordinated assault on the country.

Emergency services reported that thirteen regions were targeted. While many drones were repelled, those that breached defenses caused infrastructure damage and resulted in at least three casualties.

Ukraine’s Air Force announced that 138 drones were successfully shot down, while an additional 119 decoy drones were neutralized with no adverse effects, likely as a result of jamming measures.

In Kyiv, the assault resulted in six hours of air alerts.

Zelensky stated that Russia launched 1,150 drones, 1,400 bombs, and 35 missiles this week.

He expressed gratitude to Ukraine’s emergency services for their response to the attack on Saturday night and urged Europe and the US to support efforts in achieving a “lasting and just peace.”

In a post on X, Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska stated that “hundreds of drones” had caused “death and destruction” overnight.

“She described another night marked by explosions, burning homes and vehicles, along with devastated infrastructure. ‘It was yet another evening when people prayed for the survival of their loved ones.’”

As it unfolds, diplomatic negotiations over a potential peace deal persist, with Ukraine, European allies, and the US presenting varied perspectives on how to resolve the conflict.

The US and Russia engaged in preliminary discussions in Saudi Arabia this week, notably excluding delegates from Europe and Ukraine. This led European leaders to quickly organize a summit in Paris.

Zelensky expressed his disapproval of Ukraine being left out of the US-Russia discussions, accusing Trump of “living in a space filled with misinformation” controlled by Moscow. In response, Trump labeled the Ukrainian president as a “dictator”.

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Washington on Monday, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will follow with a visit on Thursday.

Sir Keir has openly supported Zelensky, affirming the UK’s “unwavering support” for Kyiv. He also stated that he would address the significance of Ukraine’s sovereignty during his conversation with Trump.

Pope Francis, currently hospitalized with a respiratory illness, expressed in comments released on Sunday that the third anniversary of the war marks “a painful and shameful occasion for all of humanity.”