Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready to step down from his post “if [it guarantees] peace” for Ukraine, suggesting he could swap it for NATO membership.
“If you really need me to resign, I am ready. I can exchange it for NATO,” he said at a press conference on Sunday, reported CNN.
His comments come after an escalating spat between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump as the latter accsued Ukraine of starting the conflict. rump later admitted “Russia attacked” but blamed predecessor Joe Biden and Zelensky for not stopping the fighting sooner.
Zelenskyy hit back at Trump accusing him of being in a “disinformation space” only to be called back a “dictator” by the US President, straining ties at a pivotal moment in the conflict.
Zelenskyy said he was not “offended” by Trump’s comments and was ready to test his popularity in elections once martial law ends in the country.
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Earlier this week, US and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia for “exploratory” talks about how to end the war leaving Kyiv to watch from afar.
Overnight Russia launched a record 267 drones at Ukraine killing at least one person on the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s war in the country, said Ukrainian authorities on Sunday.
“Every day, our people are resisting aerial terror,” Zelensky said Sunday, adding that the overnight attack was “the largest attack since Iranian drones started hitting Ukrainian cities and villages.”
“We need to do our best to bring a lasting and just peace to Ukraine. This is possible in the unity of all partners – we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who wants a lasting peace,” Zelensky said on X.
