Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday, on the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, that he is willing to step down if it guarantees Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky reaffirmed his call for NATO membership as part of any potential deal to end the war, though the alliance has so far been reluctant to commit.
“If there is peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready. … I can exchange it for NATO,” he said.
Zelensky also expressed his desire to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump before any potential meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian leader has faced increasing criticism from the new U.S. administration, with Trump labeling him a “dictator” and falsely claiming that Ukraine started the war.
Despite the remarks, Zelensky stated he was not “offended” and would be willing to test his popularity in elections once martial law in Ukraine is lifted.
“One would be offended by the word ‘dictator’ if he was a dictator,” he said. “I very much want from Trump an understanding of each other,” he added, emphasizing that security guarantees from the United States were essential.
The ongoing diplomatic tensions come after U.S. and Russian officials held high-level talks in Saudi Arabia last week—the first in three years. The meeting, which excluded Ukraine and European leaders, drew sharp criticism from Kyiv and its allies, who have sought to isolate Moscow.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the possibility of dialogue between Trump and Putin, calling both leaders “extraordinary” and describing their engagement as “promising.” He dismissed any possibility of Russia making territorial concessions, reaffirming Moscow’s stance against Ukraine’s NATO membership.
“The people decided to join Russia a long time ago,” Peskov said, referring to widely condemned referendums held in occupied Ukrainian territories. “No one will ever sell off these territories. That’s the most important thing.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated the need for a peace deal that respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
In a speech marking the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Putin said his military operation was divinely sanctioned.
“Fate willed it so, God willed it so, if I may say so. A mission as difficult as it is honorable—defending Russia—has been placed on our and your shoulders together,” he told Russian servicemen.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched a record 267 drone attacks overnight, nearly all of which were intercepted, with no significant damage reported.
The ongoing conflict has further strained diplomatic relations, with Russia taking advantage of tensions between Trump and Zelensky. Peskov criticized the Ukrainian leader’s remarks about Trump, saying, “Zelensky makes inappropriate remarks addressed to the head of state. He does it repeatedly. No president would tolerate that kind of treatment. So his (Trump’s) reaction is completely understandable.”
Meanwhile, U.S. and Russian diplomats are expected to meet next week to follow up on discussions held in Riyadh between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to visit Washington this week to advocate for continued support for Ukraine. European Council President Antonio Costa has also announced a special summit on the Ukraine war scheduled for March 6 in Brussels.
