Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday—the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion—that he would be willing to step down as Ukraine’s president if it meant Kyiv could join the NATO military alliance.
Zelensky, who has faced strong criticism from the new US administration, said he wished to meet Donald Trump before the US president holds talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian leader has consistently pushed for NATO membership as part of a potential settlement to end the war, but the Western alliance, led by Washington, has been hesitant to commit.
“If there is peace for Ukraine, if you truly need me to leave my post, I am prepared… I can exchange it for NATO,” Zelensky told a press conference in Kyiv.
Tensions with Trump
Zelensky and Trump have been locked in a war of words since US and Russian officials held high-level discussions last week in Saudi Arabia—the first in three years. The meeting angered Ukraine and European nations, who were excluded, and was seen as undermining efforts to isolate the Kremlin.
In recent attacks, Trump has branded Zelensky a “dictator” and falsely claimed that Ukraine “started” the war. He also asserted—contrary to independent polls—that Zelensky was unpopular in Ukraine.
Zelensky responded that he was not “offended” by Trump’s remarks 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 were a dictator,” he told journalists.
He added that he wanted to establish mutual understanding with Trump, stating that US “security guarantees” were “much needed.”
Kremlin Sees Trump-Putin Talks as ‘Promising’
The Kremlin welcomed the prospect of dialogue between Trump and Putin, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling both leaders “extraordinary” and describing their potential discussions as “promising.”
“It is important that nothing obstructs the political will of the two heads of state,” Peskov told state television.
Despite Zelensky’s appeals for long-term security support and Trump’s talk of a peace deal, it remains unclear whether US involvement will help bridge the gap between Moscow and Kyiv.
Moscow has repeatedly ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine, with Peskov insisting that occupied Ukrainian territories would not be relinquished.
“The people decided to join Russia long ago,” he said, referring to widely condemned Moscow-organised votes in eastern Ukraine.
On Sunday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a peace deal that respects Ukraine’s “territorial integrity.”
Putin: ‘God Willed It’
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in remarks on the eve of the invasion’s anniversary, claimed that divine will was behind his decision to invade Ukraine.
“Fate willed it so, God willed it so, if I may say so,” he told Russian servicemen. “A mission as difficult as it is honourable—defending Russia—has been placed on our shoulders.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched a record 267 drone attacks overnight, most of which were intercepted.
Amid intensified fighting, Russia has revelled in the diplomatic spat between Trump and Zelensky.
“Zelensky makes inappropriate remarks towards a head of state. He does so repeatedly,” Peskov said.
“No president would tolerate such treatment. So his (Trump’s) reaction is completely understandable.”
Russia’s TASS news agency reported that US and Russian diplomats are set to meet again next week, following talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh.
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are due in Washington this week to advocate for continued support for Ukraine.
In Brussels, European Council President António Costa announced a special European summit on Ukraine for 6 March, stating: “We are living through a defining moment for Ukraine and European security.”