Zelensky Willing To Step Down If It Secures Ukraine's NATO Membership: 'Immediately' If Necessary

On Sunday, the eve of the third anniversary of Russia's invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he was prepared to step down if it ensured Kyiv's admission into NATO, reported AFP.

Zelensky has come under intense criticism from the new US administration and expressed his desire to meet Donald Trump before the US president holds talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

The Ukrainian leader has long advocated for Ukraine's NATO membership as a condition of any peace settlement, but the alliance, led by Washington, has been hesitant to commit.

"If it guarantees peace for Ukraine, if my resignation is truly required, I am ready. ... I can trade my position for NATO," Zelensky declared during a press conference in Kyiv, adding that he would leave office "immediately" if necessary.

Bitterness with Trump

Tensions between Zelensky and Trump have escalated following last week's high-level discussions between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia-the first such meeting in three years.

The talks, which excluded Ukraine and European nations, angered Western allies, who have sought to isolate the Kremlin.

In a series of remarks over the past week, Trump has labelled Zelensky a "dictator," falsely accused Ukraine of "starting" the war, and contradicted independent polls by claiming the Ukrainian president is unpopular domestically.

Zelensky responded that he was not "offended" by Trump's accusations and was willing to test his support in elections once martial law in Ukraine is lifted.

"One would only be offended by the word 'dictator' if he were one," Zelensky remarked during the press conference.

"I strongly wish for mutual understanding with Trump," he added, stressing that "security guarantees" from the US president were "urgently needed."

He also urged Trump to meet him before holding a summit with Putin and revealed that discussions were progressing on an agreement that would grant the United States preferential access to Ukraine's critical resources.

Kremlin Praises Trump-Putin Dialogue

Earlier, the Kremlin described discussions between Trump and Putin-whom spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called two "extraordinary" leaders-as "promising."

"It is crucial that nothing prevents us from realising the political will of both heads of state," Peskov stated on Russian state television.

While Zelensky continues to push for long-term security assurances and Trump promotes the idea of a peace deal, it remains uncertain whether the US-led diplomatic efforts can bring Moscow and Kyiv closer to a ceasefire.

Peskov ruled out any territorial concessions as part of a settlement, with Moscow repeatedly rejecting the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO.

"The people decided to join Russia long ago," Peskov asserted, referring to the controversial referendums staged by Moscow in eastern Ukraine during its offensive. These votes were widely condemned as fraudulent by Kyiv, Western governments, and international observers.

"No one will ever give up these territories. That is the most important thing," he said.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Sunday for a peace agreement that upholds Ukraine's "territorial integrity."

Putin's 'Divine Mission'

In a statement marking the anniversary of the so-called "special military operation," President Putin claimed that "fate" and "God" had assigned him the "mission" of defending Russia.

"Fate willed it so, God willed it so, if I may say so. A mission as difficult as it is honourable-defending Russia-has been placed on our and your shoulders together," he told Russian servicemen fighting in Ukraine.

"Today, at great personal risk and with immense courage, they are resolutely defending their homeland, national interests, and Russia's future," Putin said in a Kremlin-released video.

Overnight, Moscow launched a record 267 attack drones against Ukraine, according to Kyiv's air force. However, Ukrainian forces intercepted nearly all of them, with no reports of meajor damage.

As Russian troops continue their offensive and intensify aerial bombardments, Moscow appears to be relishing the diplomatic fallout between Trump and Zelensky.

"Zelensky makes inappropriate remarks about the head of state. He does so repeatedly," Peskov stated.

"No president would tolerate such treatment. So his (Trump's) reaction is entirely understandable."

Russia's TASS news agency reported that American and Russian diplomats would meet again next week, following up on the Riyadh discussions between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to counter Trump's abrupt policy shift, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to travel to Washington this week to advocate continued support for Ukraine.