Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he would be ready to give up the presidency if doing so would achieve a lasting peace for his country under the security umbrella of the NATO military alliance.
Speaking at a forum of government officials in Kyiv marking the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Zelenskyy said, “If to achieve peace, you really need me to give up my post, I’m ready.”
Responding to a journalist's question on whether he’d trade his office for peace, Zelenskyy said, “I can trade it for NATO."
His comment appeared to be aimed at recent suggestions by U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that elections should be held in Ukraine despite Ukrainian legislation prohibiting them during martial law.
Earlier on Sunday, Zelenskyy said Russia launched 267 strike drones into Ukraine overnight on Saturday, more than in any other single attack of the war.
Ukraine's air force said 138 drones had been shot down over 13 Ukrainian regions, with 119 more lost en route to their targets.
Three ballistic missiles had also been fired, the air force said. One person was killed in the city of Kryvyi Rih, according to the city military administration.
The attack came as leaders in Kyiv and across Europe are seeking to navigate rapid changes in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump, who in a matter of days has upended years of firm support for Ukraine, leading to fears that he would join with Moscow to force a settlement to the war without involving Ukraine and its European backers.
Trump's engagement with Russian officials and his agreement to reopen diplomatic ties and economic cooperation with Moscow marked a dramatic about-face in U.S. policy.
Zelenskyy has expressed fears that Trump pushing a quick resolution would result in lost territory for Ukraine and vulnerability to future Russian aggression, though U.S. officials have asserted that the Ukrainian leader would be involved if and when peace talks actually start.
Trump, however, prompted alarm and anger in Ukraine when this week he suggested that Kyiv had started the war, and that Zelenskyy was acting as a “dictator” by not holding elections, despite Ukrainian legislation prohibiting them during martial law.
Russia’s deputy foreign minister on Saturday said preparations were underway for a Trump-Putin meeting, a further sign that the Russian leader's isolation, at least for the Trump administration, was beginning to thaw.
Reacting to the latest Russian attacks, however, Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the overnight attack "demonstrates that avoiding calling Russia an aggressor does not change the fact that it is one.”
“No one should trust Putin’s words. Look at his actions instead,” Sybiha said in a statement on social media.
Ukrainian officials on Sunday discussed a deal that would allow the U.S. to access Ukrainian rare earth minerals, a proposal Trump's administration is pushing for but that Zelenskyy earlier declined to accept because it lacked specific security guarantees.
At the forum in Kyiv where Zelenskyy made the offer to give up his presidency in return for peace and NATO membership, his chief of staff Andrii Yermak said the government was considering investment opportunities both with the U.S and European countries “which includes minerals, their development and extraction.”
Yermak left the forum early along with Economic Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko for what he said were talks with U.S. representatives on a potential deal. He said Ukraine’s mineral resources represent “a very important element that can work in the general structure of security guarantees — military guarantees and others."
Yermak pushed back on the notion that Ukraine had rejected U.S. proposals but said any agreement “must meet the national interests of Ukraine, and undoubtedly, must be interesting to our partners.”
Before leaving the forum, Svyrydenko said there are $350 billion worth of minerals on Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia. This calculation, however, is partly based on geological maps dating back to 1940s and 1960s, she said, adding: “We have to conduct geological exploration and confirm the deposits we have on paper.”
Meanwhile, Putin in a special televised message Sunday praised Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine for defending “their native land, the national interests and the future of Russia.”
Putin used his speech, on Russia’s Defender of the Fatherland Day, to pledge greater social support for military personnel and new weapons and equipment for Russian forces.
“Today, as the world is changing impetuously, our strategic course for strengthening and developing the Armed Forces remains unchanged,” he said, adding that Russia would continue to develop its armed forces “as the essential part of Russia’s security that guarantees its sovereign present and future.”
The UK on Sunday said it would announce new sanctions on Russia Monday, its biggest package since the early days of the war. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the measures would be aimed at “eroding (Russia’s) military machine and reducing revenues fueling the fires of destruction in Ukraine.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will make tag-team visits to Washington this week as Europe attempts to persuade Trump not to abandon Ukraine in pursuit of a peace deal.
Starmer told a Labour Party gathering in Scotland on Sunday: “There can be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine, and the people of Ukraine must have a long-term secure future.”
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60 Comments
TaiwanIsNotChina
This war has always been about real security guarantees for Ukraine. The dictator Zelenskyy canard is a russian talking point.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Also those who say "step down, nao!!!" aren't in favor security guarantees for Ukraine either.
Underworld
Strong leadership from Zelenskyy.
Can you imagine Trump offering to give up power for his country?
Underworld
TaiwanIsNotChina
Yup.
And ridiculous when Putin is on the Russian side...
Yrral
No Nato ever,stop with your fantasies
Ah_so
It's an odd offer - it would make zero difference to the outcome - Russia doesn't care about who is in charge - it simply wants control of the country.
But as Trump is not offering anything other than making extraordinary financial demands of the victim.
Peace in Europe depends on the countries of Western Europe stepping up and making it clear to Russia that they back Ukraine.
I'veSeenFootage
Imagine that, a leader who openly says he's ready to give up his office for the good of his country and its people, instead of clinging to power and instigating a violent coup when he loses. How refreshing.
iknowall
No because the US is not at war with Russia, so that is not even a scenario that is based in reality.
Trump is going to end the Ukraine-Russia war.
Nobel Peace Prize
starpunk
Don't do it, Zel. That would solve nothing. Putin wants your country no matter who is leading it. Your resignation would get you arrested, maybe killed. Then the Ukraine droids would be in the hands of the Russian imperials.
TaiwanIsNotChina
I'm sure some bottom-feeder will nominate him but I don't think it will go very far in light of the continuing conflict in Israel and russian occupation of Ukraine.
iknowall
Both the war in Gaza and in Ukraine will finish because of Trump.
Underworld
iknowall
Can you imagine Trump offering to give up power for his country?
It's a hypothetical. But you got the answer right. There is no way that Trump would show the bravery and leadership that Zelenskyy has shown and step down for the good of his country.
I very much doubt it.
Why not wait until he has actually delivered something?
I'veSeenFootage
Interesting that you used, instead of "thanks to", the word "because of", implying a bad outcome.
Mr Kipling
Please, just stop with the fantasies....
There will be no NATO membership for Ukraine.
There will be no NATO "peace keepers".
The 4 "annexed" Oblasts in the south and east are gone.
Crimea is Russian.
Try to keep to reality, will Ukraine keep Odesa and have a port?
Will Ukraine keep Kharkov/Kharkiv?
kurisupisu
Zelenskyy suddenly faces facts and is ready for appeasement.
Ukraine was never going to prevail against Russia.
Ukraine refused publicly to engage with Russia despite Putin stating multiple times, offers to engage.
Had Zelenskyy been a soldier instead of an actor then maybe countless deaths would not be on his conscience.
wallace
Zelenskyy won't sell out himself or Ukraine for nothing in return. Three years today since the illegal invasion by Putin.
Underworld
kurisupisu
Joining NATO is appeasement? Getting that concession from Russia would hardly be appeasement.
And yet it has.
Putin has never seriously offered any option of peace.
They're on Putin's conscience, not Zelenskyy's. That's if Putin has a conscience.
wallace
Putin praised his troops for defending Russia against Ukraine's enemy. Guess he's confused about who started the war.
kurisupisu
.
@wallace
Zelenskyy has no choice about anything.The has been pulled from under his feet.
@Underworld
Your post shows a shocking lack of understanding of not only the geopolitical reality but also the historical background of Ukraine vis a vis its relationship to Russia.
But watch the present chain of events become ‘reality’ to show you the way…
WoodyLee
Netanyahu #2
NO HE WILL NOT, Ukraine needs an election ASAP or this man will be in office for a very long time.
wallace
There will be Ukraine elections with 9 million displaced people. 5 million refugees and 4 million displaced internally.
ClippetyClop
Nonsense. He's the leader of one of the two countries who who have the biggest say in the outcome of the war no matter what you pretend otherwise.
Putting big words like 'geopolitical' in your post doesn't make it any less nonsensical. Ukraine and Zelensky will be involved in any settlement, absolutely have to be.
You have a long history of very bad ideas on here.
HopeSpringsEternal
It' a good sign Zelenskyy is already 'giving up' in public, the amount of dirt DOGE is digging up this clown must amount to a VERY thick and damaging file = He's TOAST
WoodyLee
Zelenskyy MUST go in order to have peace in Ukraine, this man could have negotiated with Putin on several occasions but he did NOT and decided to follow the Biden's agenda allowing more and more death and destruction in Ukraine.
NATO membership ain't gonna happen simply because Ukraine in the status it's in now will not qualify and Zelenskyy knows it, BUT peace is going to happen and soon but without this man.
bass4funk
Staying on and fighting the inevitable won’t solve nothing either.
But he will have less of an incentive if Ukraine doesn’t push for NATO membership
He could always seek political asylum which is what I would do given the attempts on his life, but that’s me, I’m a very cautious person, always thinking the worst case scenarios, Zelenskyy needs to figure it out one way or another, time is not on his side.
KnightsOfCydonia
Selflessness is such a virtuous endeavour and deserves much respect.
Well done to Zelenskyy for navigating such a difficult period of Ukrainian history.
In a hundred or a thousand years from now, people will write how a small nation resisted tyrannical subjugation from its neighbour, at such great cost to its people.
Putin and Trump on the hand, history will not be so kind.
wallace
There will be NO Ukraine elections with 9 million displaced people. 5 million refugees and 4 million displaced internally.
iknowall
So, has Zelenskyy stepped down yet?
Crimea, annexed by Russia while Obama-Biden idly sat by, stays with Russia.
Underworld
HopeSpringsEternal
Do you think swapping his presidency for membership in NATO is giving up?
No, it's the biggest sacrifice to save his country.
And to think, some simpletons were calling him a 'dictator'. Couldn't be further from the truth.
DOGE have found nothing, ever.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Please, just stop with the russian fantasies...
Russians will not rule over 30 million people that hate their guts without sweets being handed out regularly.
Underworld
iknowall
No, Obama slapped sanctions on Russia for annexing Crimea.
When Trump came to office, he tried to ease those sanctions.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Only NATO gets to decide what NATO does.
Because Ukraine is under heinous assault.
Blacklabel
peace, yes.
NATO, no.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Staying on and fighting solves Ukraine's continued existence as an independent state. Simple as.
Ukraine wasn't in NATO when Putin invaded the first two times. Animals only need to think they can get away without consequence.
I don't know what the original comment was about but Zelenskyy only has to worry about the actions of the disgusting criminals currently invading his country.
itsonlyrocknroll
Europe must hold a global summit for peace now in Ukraine.
World leaders, that truly genuinely support such an initiative must aid Ukraine struggle.
Only such an action will bring about any sustainable ceasefire.
bass4funk
So Zelenskyy really wants his people to just loathe and despise him at this point.
Ukraine Presidential Election Poll
Zaluzhnyi 68% (+36)
Zelenskyy 32%
Yeah, Zelenskyy really wants more scorn…smh
TaiwanIsNotChina
There will be no enduring peace without security guarantees for the assaulted.
bass4funk
Spinning his wheels at this point, can’t beat fate.
And it will never be in NATO
And he won’t be able to do anything to stop it.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Zaluzhnyi would be in favor of continuing the war until security guarantees are obtained I'm sure. You don't understand what it means for a country to be under heinous assault...smh.
itsonlyrocknroll
NATO ....
https://www.nato.int/
The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51
Ukraine politically even in the distant future must not be part of NATO.
This could bring "limited" tactical nuclear conflict to the whole continent, as security destabilizes leading to an inevitable collapse with devastating consequences.
Membership of EU yes I think so.
Underworld
bass4funk
There will be NO Ukraine elections with 9 million displaced people. 5 million refugees and 4 million displaced internally.
Not at all.
Approval ratings:
Zelenskyy: 63%
Trump: 45%
stormcrow
But would Zelensky give up Ukraine to Putin? Definitely not. It’s a shame that Trump has made Zelensky second fiddle while Trump kisses Putin’s rear end.
Zelensky should stay.
bass4funk
Then go.
Approval ratings:
Zelenskyy is not the President of the U.S. not sure what the point is
Underworld
bass4funk
Not at all.
Why. The people love Zelensky.
He's a true leader who loves his country.
Zelensky is popular. Trump is not.
ClippetyClop
If he isn't important, why are you and Putin so desperate to get rid of him?
Are you still pretending that you don't support Putin's invasion?
Primusinter
Not one person, many more. It was a military target. The headquarters of foreign instructors of the Ukr army was hit by an Iskander strike in Krivoy Rog. 12 people were killed, including British and French instructors. Vehicles used by foreign instructors and buildings housing the military contingent were destroyed.
bass4funk
Then go.
The polls are not showing that.
Not according to their Constitution
Zelenskyy is not the President of the U.S., I don’t care what or how they think of our President, we elected a U.S. popular president, not Ukrainian one. In the U.S. when Trump slips down to 20% I might take a second look.
tooheysnew
no ! Ukraine will end the war - on their terms
Ha ! He’ll win the ‘Big Mac with Fries’ prize
Underworld
bass4funk
Why. The people love Zelensky.
Yes, they are:
https://yalibnan.com/2025/02/23/63-of-ukrainians-approve-of-zelensky-as-president-while-47-of-us-approve-of-trump/
He's a true leader who loves his country.
That makes no sense. According to their Constitution, elections cannot be held while under martial law.
Blacklabel
And who declared martial law?
oh.
Underworld
Blacklabel
According to their Constitution, elections cannot be held while under martial law.
Seriously? SERIOUSLY??
You may have noticed that Russia has been waging a war of aggression on Ukraine for the last 3 years.
Not only that, the opposition parties to Zelenskyy's party agree that they shouldn't have elections because of the war.
Blacklabel
the 11 opposition parties that he banned on 20 March 2022?
Blacklabel
“President Zelenskyy has consolidated all TV platforms in Ukraine into one state broadcast and restricted political rivals. Political opposition fears such civil liberty constraints could continue.”
Underworld
itsonlyrocknroll
No. They need to be part of NATO.
Not if they are part of NATO. That's why the should be part of NATO.
Russia eye's Poland and Estonia etc. The only reason they didn't attack is because they are a member of NATO.
Underworld
Blacklabel
Yup. While martial law is in place. But they will be allowed to compete in elections after the war.
ClippetyClop
....and in tonight's episode of 'Planet Mental'....
Do you hope they nuke somewhere too?
Blacklabel
Zelensky “says” a lot of things.
example:
Zelensky in 2023: Give us credit and we will pay you back the money
Zelensky now: it was a grant, not a loan
Primusinter
The losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the special military operation amounted to about 1.08 million soldiers killed and wounded, according to TASS calculations. It's the result of Zelensky's love for his country.
Ken
Russia was hurt when it came to numbers hence why they tag teamed North Korea for help because they knew they were on the verge of losing. There have been Americans supporting Russia in this war long before, like the ones who kept denying North Koreans in Russia. The sick people like that think it's amusing to see a country get ripped apart I guess since they go out of their way to show off an opinion nobody asked for.
The US and Russia don't want peace in that war in fact they are blocking it, NATO is the only thing that can save Ukraine, Zelensky doesn't care about being president hell if someone was more suitable for the most stressful and dangerous job in the world he would give it to them
Underworld
Primusinter
According to their Constitution, elections cannot be held while under martial law.
Not sure what you are trying to prove.
Even if you don't believe the constitutional reasons, l logistically it is impossible to have elections during wartime.
Did Churchill have elections during wartime? No, he did not.