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Zelenskyy says he would give up presidency in return for peace and NATO membership

Published 2 weeks ago8 minute read

Ukraine's president has said he would step down in return for peace and NATO membership for his country.

"If [it means] peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready," said at a news conference.

"I can exchange this for NATO [membership], if that condition is there, immediately," he added.

has previously said Ukraine is unlikely to become a NATO ally and membership is a red line for Russia.

Mr Zelenskyy's comment appeared to be a response to Mr Trump recently as Ukraine hadn't held fresh elections - despite laws prohibiting it during wartime

During a wide-ranging conference in Kyiv, Mr Zelenskyy also said talks on a minerals deal with the US were moving forward, adding "all is OK", despite .

President Trump said on Saturday a deal was "pretty close" and he was for billionsof dollars of aid provided to Ukraine.

Ukraine wants the deal to include robust security guarantees over any future peace settlement with Russia.

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Starmer trip to US vital, Zelenskyy tells Sky News

Mr Zelenskyy also told that next week's visits to Washington by Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron were vital.

He said Europe had to be "at the table" when a peace deal is negotiated.

"Who will represent Europe - I can't tell you now exactly," he said.

"But I think one person will represent the EU. And of course, the UK has to be at the table, if we speak, for example, about security guarantees."

The UK prime minister has said he's as part of a peacekeeping force.

Rescuers work at a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine February 23, 2025. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk region/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. WATERMARK FROM SOURCE.

Image: Mr Zelenskyy said more than 260 drones were fired at Ukraine overnight. Pic: Reuters

The Ukrainian leader was speaking after his country was hit overnight with what he called the biggest drone attack since the war started.

Mr Zelenskyy condemned Russia for the "aerial terror" - a day before the third anniversary of full-scale invasion.

"Every day, our people stand against aerial terror," Mr Zelenskyy wrote on X.

"On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, Russia launched 267 attack drones against - the largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages."

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A total of 138 of the drones were shot down and another 119 disappeared from radars after being jammed by electronic warfare, Ukraine's air force said.

Damage was reported across five regions.

Mr Zelenskyy said nearly 1,150 drones, more than 1,400 guided aerial bombs and 35 missiles had been launched at Ukraine in the past week.

He thanked those operating air defences and called on allies to stand united to secure a "just and lasting peace".

"This is achievable through the unity of all partners - we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who seeks lasting peace," he said.

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Zelenskyy reinforces need for 'security guarantee'

It comes amid concerns over Mr Trump's recent war of words with Mr Zelenskyy and his false claim that Ukraine had started the war.

At a conservative conference on Saturday, Mr Trump - who alarmed Europe and Ukraine by holding a recent call with Vladimir Putin - repeated his optimism that a peace deal is possible under his watch.

"I've spoken to President Putin and I think that thing [the war] is going to end," said Mr Trump.

Ukraine has insisted it won't accept any peace deal agreed without its participation, after it was excluded from a meeting between US and Russian diplomats in Saudi Arabia.

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