Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared his readiness to relinquish his presidential role in exchange for a lasting peace for Ukraine under NATO’s security protection. This statement was made during a forum held in Kyiv, commemorating the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy responded to a journalist’s inquiry about being willing to give up his office for peace, stating, “I can trade it for NATO.” It appears that this comment was a response to recent proposals by US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that elections should be held in Ukraine, despite Ukrainian law prohibiting them during martial law.
The Ukrainian president made these comments after revealing that Russia had launched 267 strike drones into Ukraine overnight on a Saturday, marking the highest number in a single attack since the war began. Despite Ukraine’s air force managing to shoot down 138 drones, 119 more were lost on their way to their targets.
Zelenskyy has previously voiced his concerns that a swift resolution pushed by Trump could lead to Ukraine losing territory and becoming more susceptible to future Russian aggression. Despite these fears, US officials insist that Zelenskyy would be involved in peace discussions if and when they start.
Amidst the ongoing Russian attacks, Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Andrii Sybiha‎, emphasized that Russia’s actions clearly identify it as an aggressor. He urged the world to focus on Putin’s actions rather than his words.
During the forum in Kyiv, discussions also took place regarding a potential deal that would allow the US to access Ukrainian rare earth minerals. This proposal is currently being pushed by the Trump administration but had previously been rejected by Zelenskyy due to a lack of specific security guarantees.
As tensions continue to rise, European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, are planning to visit Washington in an attempt to persuade Trump not to abandon Ukraine in pursuit of a peace deal. Starmer emphasized that any discussions about Ukraine’s future must involve Ukraine and ensure a secure future for its people.
