Lock the White House Watch Newsletter for free
Your Guide to Washington and the World's 2024 US Election Means
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said for the first time that he would be willing to step down as president of Ukraine if the move ensured membership in NATO or lasting peace in his country.
“If it brings peace to Ukraine, if you really need to leave my post, I'm ready. I can exchange it for NATO [membership]Zelenskyy told reporters at a press conference held on Kyiv on Sunday. “If such conditions exist [I will step down] immediately. “
“I'm focusing on security today, not within 20 years. Zelensky has not been in power for decades before Monday marks the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. yeah.
Given the dim prospects of joining NATO, the surprising thing is that the offer to resign is a sign of extreme pressure on Ukrainian leaders as the US is in a hurry to hatch the peace deal with Moscow.
The Trump administration has made several concessions to Russia, including agreeing to normalize relations after a bilateral meeting in Saudi Arabia last week, excluding Ukraine's NATO membership.
Last week, Trump described Zelensky as a “dictator” and denounced Kiev, not Moscow, for starting a war.
Russia launched its biggest drone strike against Ukraine on Sunday, launching 267 drones against multiple targets across the country.
Ukrainian officials say Washington is trying to sign a deal that will strongly arm Zelensky to award the majority of revenues from extracting Ukrainian mineral deposits.
Last week, US authorities presented Kiev with plans to lead up to $500 million in revenue from resource extraction to a 100% US-owned fund. Trump describes the plan as a repayment of previous US military aid.
Zelensky opposed the Trump administration's demands.
“We know we had $100 billion [of assistance from the US] But I'm not going to admit $500 million no matter what anyone says,” Zelensky said. “We are not going to sign anything that 10 generations of Ukrainians pay for.”
Zelenskyy also rejected claims by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent, a sales representative in the financial era that a “partnership” with the US with minerals would strengthen Ukraine's security.
Zelenksyy challenged Washington's “specific logic,” with the presence of US companies further blocking Russian attacks, and several US companies were operating in Ukraine when Russia first attacked in 2014. I pointed out that.
“This does not offer a 100% guarantee that Russians will not return to their location. [US companies] Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy says Ukraine's NATO membership is the ultimate security guarantee against future Russian military attacks. However, the Trump administration has poured cold water on the idea, and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses said last weekend that “Ukraine's NATO membership is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement.” I don't believe it.”
He also ruled that US troops would be deployed to Ukraine after the war with Russia ended. Zelensky said on Sunday he would like to see it as part of a rare critical mineral deal that his administration is negotiating with the White House.
The Trump administration argued that the deal would drive the country's postwar growth, but Kiev pushed back. Zelenskyy said on Sunday that it would be too expensive and not provide adequate security assurances, as is currently proposed by Washington.
Zelensky said he is confident that Trump “want to end this war and will help us do it,” but the US president has simply put a ceasefire as a “big success.” I was worried about presenting it.
“We want to ensure the security of people,” he said.
