Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he would be willing to resign in exchange for peace in Ukraine or NATO membership.
“If it is peace for Ukraine, and if you really want me to leave my post, I’m ready,” Zelenskyy said at a press conference. “Alternatively, I can trade this for NATO membership, if such conditions exist, immediately, so we don’t have lengthy discussions. I’m focusing on Ukraine’s security today, not in 20 years. And I don’t intend to stay in power for decades.”
Zelenskyy’s offer is a major development after a very public dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump that escalated last week after Trump suggested that the Ukrainian president was responsible for starting the war.
The next day, Zelenskyy responded by saying Trump is trapped in a “disinformation bubble”.
When asked about Trump on Sunday, Zelenskyy told reporters in Ukrainian, “We are partners and I want him on our side.”
“I am the elected president by 73% of Ukrainian people. After the martial law, there will be elections. Perhaps he will say something good about me. It is more important what Ukrainians think about me,” he added.
Trump has vowed to begin talks to end the war in Ukraine, adding that it’s not important for Zelenskyy to attend negotiations because “he’s been at meetings for three years and nothing got done.”
“I don’t think he’s very important to be at meetings, to be honest with you,” Trump told Fox News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade. “He’s been there for three years. He makes it very hard to make deals. But look what’s happened to his country, it’s been demolished.”
The news comes as world allies have been stunned by the United States’ shifting position from backing Ukraine to now seemingly supporting Russia since Trump has returned to office.
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the White House and meet with Trump on Monday.
