The Trump administration is pressuring countries to support its alternative resolution and vote against Ukraine’s proposed measure ahead of a key UN vote marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, according to reports from AP and Reuters. The US is urging Kyiv to withdraw its draft resolution, which demands Russia’s full troop withdrawal and an end to hostilities. Instead, the US-backed resolution calls for a “swift end” to the conflict but omits any mention of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he would be willing to step down in exchange for peace or NATO membership, emphasizing that he does not intend to stay in power indefinitely. However, he firmly rejected allowing Vladimir Putin to maintain control over occupied Ukrainian territories.
His remarks came just hours after Russia launched its largest-ever aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying 267 drones and killing at least four people. Kyiv was rocked by explosions as air defense crews worked through the night to intercept the attack.
Zelenskyy also pushed back against US pressure to grant access to $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s mineral resources, saying he would not agree to any deal that would burden future generations. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko noted that approximately $350 billion of these critical resources are currently under Russian occupation.
Additionally, Zelenskyy disclosed that the Trump administration is proposing a controversial repayment scheme, demanding Ukraine return $2 for every $1 in US military aid—effectively a 100% interest rate.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to meet with Trump this week, having agreed to present a united front in support of Ukraine. Meanwhile, EU and global leaders will gather in Kyiv on Monday to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine’s security, with key attendees including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The European Council is also scheduled to convene on March 6 for a special summit focused on Ukraine and European defense, as pressure mounts for increased defense spending across the continent.
On the diplomatic front, US and Russian officials are expected to hold further discussions within the next two weeks, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, as reported by state media.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov endorsed Trump’s criticism of Zelenskyy—who the former president labeled a “dictator”—calling the remarks “understandable” after Zelenskyy accused Trump of being trapped in a “Russian disinformation bubble.”
Despite growing tensions with the Trump administration, Zelenskyy reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the US-Ukraine alliance and ensuring Kyiv’s inclusion in any future peace talks. “The US must speak with us first, before engaging with Russia,” he stressed. “Decisions about Ukraine cannot be made without Ukraine.”
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