Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Sunday that he would be willing to resign if it would lead to peace in Ukraine, humorously suggesting he could trade his departure for Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
“If (it means) peace for Ukraine, if it’s truly necessary for me to vacate my position, I’m prepared to do so,” a visibly annoyed Zelenskiy responded when asked at a press conference about his willingness to step down for peace.
“I can trade this for NATO (membership), if that is a condition, right away,” he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump has advocated for elections to be held in Ukraine, labeling Zelenskiy a “dictator,” likely alluding to the fact that the Ukrainian leader’s official five-year term concludes in 2024.
Trump’s disparagement of Zelenskiy emerged as relations between the two leaders soured significantly in recent weeks.
Zelenskiy has rejected the notion of holding elections amid a full-scale conflict, a stance echoed by his significant domestic political rivals.
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The Ukrainian president also expressed a desire to view Trump as a partner to Ukraine rather than merely a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.
“I truly hope it will be more than just mediation… that’s insufficient,” he remarked during a press conference in Kyiv.
