As Ukraine approaches the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated he is willing to step down from office if it would bring lasting peace to his country.
“If you need me to leave this chair, I am ready to do that. And I also can exchange it for NATO membership for Ukraine,” Zelensky said during a news conference, responding to a question about his leadership.
His remarks came amid escalating tensions, including recent comments by US President Donald Trump, who described Zelensky as a “dictator without elections.” Zelensky, who was democratically elected in 2019, dismissed the statement, saying, “I wasn’t offended [by the comment], but a dictator would be.”
Zelensky reaffirmed that his primary focus remains on Ukraine’s security rather than holding onto power indefinitely. He noted that elections are currently prohibited under Ukrainian martial law, which has been in place since the Russian invasion in February 2022.
European and global leaders are expected to gather in Kyiv on Monday to discuss security guarantees and express solidarity with Ukraine. Among those attending are Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Zelensky expressed hope that the meeting would be a “turning point” in Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. “The topic of Ukraine joining NATO will be on the table,” he stated, though he admitted uncertainty about how the discussions would conclude.
Addressing Trump’s potential role in negotiations, Zelensky said he would like the former US president to be more than just a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow. “I really want it to be more than just mediation… that’s not enough,” he said, alluding to concerns among European leaders that Ukraine is being sidelined in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The Ukrainian president also confirmed progress on a potential deal that would grant the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, a critical resource for high-tech industries. However, he emphasised that any such arrangement is contingent on Washington ensuring that Russian President Vladimir Putin “ends this war.”
Zelensky’s remarks came just hours after Ukraine endured its largest single drone assault since the war began. On Saturday night, Russia launched a record 267 drones in a coordinated attack on 13 Ukrainian regions. While Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 138 drones, others caused damage to infrastructure and resulted in at least three casualties, emergency services reported.
Kyiv endured six hours of continuous air alerts as part of the attack, with Ukraine’s Air Force estimating that Russia launched over 1,150 drones, 1,400 bombs, and 35 missiles throughout the past week.
Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, condemned the attack on social media, writing: “It was another night of explosions, burning houses and cars, and destroyed infrastructure. Another night when people prayed for their loved ones to survive.”
As the war enters its third year on Monday, international discussions over a potential peace settlement continue. The US and Russia recently held preliminary talks in Saudi Arabia—without European or Ukrainian representatives present—raising concerns in Kyiv and among European allies. The exclusion of Ukraine prompted European leaders to convene an urgent summit in Paris.
Zelensky criticised the US-Russia talks, warning that Trump was “living in a disinformation space” shaped by Moscow’s influence. Trump responded by labeling Zelensky a “dictator,” further deepening tensions between the two figures.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Washington on Monday, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer scheduled to follow later in the week. Starmer has reiterated Britain’s “ironclad support” for Ukraine and plans to reiterate the importance of Ukrainian sovereignty during his discussions with Trump.
Pope Francis, currently hospitalised with a respiratory illness, also weighed in on the ongoing conflict, describing its third anniversary as “a painful and shameful occasion for the whole of humanity.”
With diplomatic maneuvering intensifying, Ukraine continues to balance military resilience with political negotiations. Zelensky’s willingness to relinquish power for the sake of peace underscores the gravity of the situation, as Ukraine and its allies seek a path forward in a war that shows no signs of abating.
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