KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a surprising statement on Sunday, expressing his willingness to step down from his position if it would secure peace in Ukraine, hinting at the possibility of exchanging his resignation for Ukraine’s entry into NATO.
During a press conference, Zelenskiy, visibly irritated, responded to a question about whether he would leave office for the sake of peace by saying, “If it means peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready. I can exchange this for NATO (membership), if that condition is there, immediately.” His comments come amid ongoing conflict with Russia and growing geopolitical tensions.
The remarks follow escalating criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently labeled Zelenskiy a “dictator”, pointing to his resistance to hold elections during a full-scale war, despite his five-year term ending in 2024. Trump has urged for elections in Ukraine, further straining the diplomatic ties between the two leaders.
Zelenskiy, however, emphasized his desire to see Trump not merely as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow, but as a strategic partner supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stated, “I really want it to be more than just mediation… that’s not enough.”
The Ukrainian president’s remarks have sparked political debates both domestically and internationally, as they open new questions about leadership succession, NATO membership, and the future of peace negotiations in the ongoing conflict with Russia.