On the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed readiness to resign if it meant securing NATO membership for Ukraine. Facing criticism from the new U.S. administration, Zelensky wishes to meet Donald Trump before any discussions with Vladimir Putin. He seeks U.S. security assurances while addressing Trump’s recent derogatory comments about him. Despite Zelensky’s push for NATO, the alliance remains hesitant. Meanwhile, Russia continues missile attacks and dismisses any territorial concessions in peace talks. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a resolution respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity as tensions persist.
Kyiv:
On Sunday, the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Volodymyr Zelensky declared his willingness to resign as Ukraine’s president if it would facilitate Kyiv’s entry into the NATO military alliance.
Zelensky has been subjected to harsh criticism from the new US administration and expressed his desire to meet Donald Trump prior to the US president’s meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian leader has consistently advocated for Ukraine’s NATO membership as a crucial part of any resolution to the war, yet the Washington-led alliance has shown hesitance to commit to such a pledge.
“If peace for Ukraine is at stake, and if my departure from office is necessary, I am prepared to do it. … I can trade it for NATO,” Zelensky mentioned during a press conference in Kyiv, further stating he would leave “immediately” if required.
Zelensky and Trump have exchanged heated remarks following a meeting last week between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, which marked their first high-level discussions in three years. This development has disrupted the West’s strategy to isolate the Kremlin and has angered Ukrainian and European leaders who were not invited to the talks.
In his recent verbal assaults, Trump has labeled Zelensky a “dictator,” mistakenly stated that Ukraine “started” the war, and claimed, contrary to independent opinion polls, that Zelensky is unpopular among his fellow citizens.
Zelensky has stated he was not “offended” by Trump’s assertions and is willing to demonstrate his popularity in elections once martial law is lifted in Ukraine.
“One might feel offended by the term ‘dictator’ if they were indeed one,” Zelensky said during the press conference.
“I hope for a mutual understanding with Trump,” he expressed, adding that “security guarantees” from the US president are “greatly needed”.
The Ukrainian leader also urged Trump to hold a meeting with him prior to any summit with Putin. He mentioned there has been “progress” toward an agreement that would allow the United States preferential access to Ukraine’s vital resources.
‘Promising’
Earlier, the Kremlin praised the discussions between Trump and Vladimir Putin, which Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described as involving two “extraordinary” presidents, calling them “promising”.
“It is crucial that nothing obstructs the political will of both heads of state from being realized,” spokesman Peskov noted on state television.
Despite Zelensky’s insistence on long-term security support and Trump advocating for a peace deal, it remains uncertain whether these US initiatives can move Moscow and Kyiv closer to a ceasefire.
Peskov dismissed any notion of territorial concessions as part of a settlement and reiterated Moscow’s repeated rejection of NATO membership for Ukraine.
“The people chose to join Russia long ago,” Peskov remarked, alluding to Kremlin-organized votes in eastern Ukraine conducted amid conflict, which were condemned as fraudulent by Kyiv, the West, and international observers.
“These territories will never be sold off. That is the most significant aspect,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Sunday for a peace agreement regarding Ukraine that honors the country’s “territorial integrity”.
‘God willed it’
On the eve of the anniversary of his “special military operation” in Ukraine, Putin asserted that “God” and “fate” guided his “mission” to defend Russia.
“It was willed by fate, it was willed by God, if I may put it that way. A mission as challenging as it is honorable — defending Russia — has been entrusted to us and to you together,” he remarked to servicemen engaged in the conflict in Ukraine.
“Today, at the risk of their own lives and with great bravery, they are steadfastly safeguarding their homeland, national interests, and the future of Russia,” Putin conveyed in a video shared by the Kremlin.
The Russian military launched an unprecedented 267 attack drones at Ukraine overnight, according to Kyiv’s air force.
Ukraine managed to shoot down or intercept nearly all the drones, and there were no reports of significant damage.
As Russian forces advance on the battlefield and conduct extensive aerial assaults, Russia seems to be enjoying the diplomatic fallout between Trump and Zelensky.
“Zelensky makes inappropriate remarks aimed at the head of state. He does this repeatedly,” Peskov stated.
“No president would tolerate such treatment. Hence, his (Trump’s) reaction is entirely understandable.”
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, US and Russian diplomats are slated to meet next week, following the Riyadh discussions between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In a bid to counteract Trump’s sudden policy shift, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to visit Washington this week to advocate for ongoing support for Ukraine.
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