Willing to resign if it would bring peace, NATO membership: Zelensky
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Volodymyr Zelensky admits that he would resign if it would aid Ukraine, whether by achieving peace in the country or attaining its NATO membership.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky answers media questions during his press conference, in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 (AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is willing to resign if it would help bring peace to Ukraine or secure the country's NATO membership, he stated on Sunday.
"If for peace in Ukraine you really need me to step down, I am ready. I also can trade it for NATO, if offered such conditions right away," he said during a press conference broadcast.
Notably, The Economist reported earlier that US President Donald Trump wants to "get rid of" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid growing tensions between the two leaders.
This comes as Trump signals a shift in US policy on Ukraine, particularly after recent US-Russian talks in Riyadh that excluded Kiev.
Trump’s decision to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his apparent willingness to "rehabilitate the Kremlin" have caused shockwaves within Ukraine’s political circles, The Economist said noting, "By now, few are truly surprised."
A former diplomat quoted by the magazine stated that Trump "appears to want to get rid of Zelensky," adding, "This is not about elections, it’s about getting rid of Zelensky."
Many Ukrainians are losing faith in their leader; a recent poll revealed that while Zelensky remains the country’s most popular politician, he would lose a future election by 30% to 65% to his former top general, Valery Zaluzhny. Public trust in Zelensky has also fallen to 52%, a sharp drop from the 90% approval he had at the war’s outset.
Read more: Russia holds ‘the cards’ in Ukraine peace talks: Trump
