Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says he’d be ready to give up the presidency if it brought peace and NATO membership

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that he would be willing to step down if it would secure lasting peace for Ukraine under NATO’s protection.

Speaking at a government forum in Kyiv marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy said, “If achieving peace truly requires me to relinquish my position, I am ready.”

Responding to a journalist’s question about whether he would trade his office for peace, he remarked, “I can trade it for NATO.”

His comments appeared to address recent remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who have suggested that Ukraine should hold elections despite Ukrainian laws prohibiting them under martial law.

Earlier on Sunday, Zelenskyy reported that Russia had launched 267 drone strikes overnight, the largest drone assault since the war began. Ukraine’s air force intercepted 138 drones across 13 regions, while 119 others were lost en route to their targets. Additionally, three ballistic missiles were fired, with one person killed in Kryvyi Rih, according to local military authorities.

The attack came amid shifts in U.S. foreign policy under President Trump, who has reversed years of firm support for Ukraine, raising concerns that he might push for a settlement favoring Moscow without Ukraine’s involvement. Trump’s recent diplomatic engagement with Russian officials, including reopening economic and diplomatic ties with Moscow, marks a dramatic departure from previous U.S. policy.

Zelenskyy has voiced concerns that Trump’s push for a rapid resolution could lead to territorial losses for Ukraine and increased vulnerability to future Russian aggression. However, U.S. officials have maintained that Ukraine would be involved in any peace negotiations.

Trump further alarmed Ukraine this week by suggesting that Kyiv initiated the war and by labeling Zelenskyy a “dictator” for not holding elections despite martial law restrictions.

Meanwhile, Russia’s deputy foreign minister announced Saturday that preparations were underway for a Trump-Putin meeting, signaling a potential thaw in relations between Moscow and the Trump administration.

Reacting to Russia’s latest assault, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated, “This attack proves that refusing to label Russia as the aggressor does not change the reality that it is one.”

“No one should trust Putin’s words. Look at his actions instead,” Sybiha added in a social media post.

On Sunday, Ukrainian officials discussed a U.S. proposal to access Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. Trump’s administration has been advocating for this deal, but Zelenskyy previously declined due to the lack of specific security guarantees.

At the Kyiv forum, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, noted that Ukraine is exploring investment opportunities with both the U.S. and European nations, particularly in mineral extraction. Yermak and Economic Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko left the event early for talks with U.S. representatives on the matter.

Yermak emphasized that any agreement must align with Ukraine’s national interests while also appealing to its partners. Svyrydenko highlighted that Ukrainian territories currently under Russian occupation contain an estimated $350 billion in mineral resources, though some estimates are based on older geological maps from the mid-20th century.

Meanwhile, in a special televised address on Russia’s Defender of the Fatherland Day, Putin praised Russian troops for defending their homeland and promised increased social support and military investments.

“As the world changes rapidly, our commitment to strengthening and developing the Armed Forces remains unwavering,” Putin stated, vowing to bolster Russia’s military as a key pillar of its national security.

The United Kingdom announced it would unveil new sanctions against Russia on Monday—the most extensive package since the early days of the war. Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated the sanctions aim to weaken Russia’s military capabilities and cut off funding for its war effort.

In a bid to secure ongoing Western support for Ukraine, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Washington this week to engage with Trump’s administration.

Speaking at a Labour Party event in Scotland, Starmer asserted, “There can be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine. The people of Ukraine must have a long-term secure future.”