Zelenskyy Signals Willingness To Resign for Peace or NATO Membership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signaled that he would be willing to resign for the sake of peace or in exchange for NATO membership for Ukraine.

Key Takeaways

Zelensky expressed readiness to resign if it leads to peace or NATO membership for Ukraine.
Tensions between Zelensky and former President Trump have escalated, with Trump criticizing Zelensky as a “dictator.”
Ukraine’s NATO aspirations remain a contentious issue with Russia, complicating peace negotiations.
The ongoing war has delayed elections in Ukraine, according to Zelenskyy, leading to criticism from some international figures.
Negotiations for a potential peace deal involve complex issues, including U.S. military aid and Ukraine’s mineral rights.

Zelensky’s Startling Offer: Presidency for Peace or NATO

In a statement that has captured global attention, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would be willing to step down from his position if it would bring peace to Ukraine or secure NATO membership for the nation. This announcement came on the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Zelensky, who has been at the helm of Ukraine since 2019, stated, “Yes, I am happy, if it is for the peace of Ukraine.” He further elaborated, “If you need me to leave this chair, I am ready to do that, and I also can exchange it for NATO membership for Ukraine.”

Tensions with Trump and International Support

The relationship between Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump has been fraught with tension. Trump has criticized Zelensky, calling him “a Dictator without Elections” and urging him to “move fast or he is not going to have a Country left.” Ukraine’s constitution prohibits national elections during martial law, which has been in place since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Trump has also indicated that he’s negotiating an end to the war with Russia, asserting that only he can achieve this goal. He has criticized the U.S. financial support to Ukraine, suggesting it exceeds Europe’s contribution and questioning President Biden’s handling of the situation. The U.S. has provided nearly $66 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, a figure that has become a point of contention in American politics.

Zelensky claims he would resign if it means peace or NATO membership, says US mineral deal not good enough https://t.co/tNOXtxEmT5 pic.twitter.com/OHFR4sZSP4

— New York Post (@nypost) February 23, 2025

NATO Membership: A Complex Issue

Ukraine’s potential NATO membership has been a longstanding point of tension with Russia. Putin has used Ukraine’s NATO aspirations to justify the invasion, while Zelensky views it as crucial for Ukraine’s security. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Ukraine joining NATO is unlikely to be part of a negotiated settlement with Russia, highlighting the complexity of the situation.

Negotiations and Future Prospects

As U.S. and Russian officials hold talks on the war, with a potential summit between President Trump and Vladimir Putin, the future of Ukraine hangs in the balance. The Trump administration is reportedly trying to negotiate a deal for U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral rights to offset military aid costs, a proposal that Zelenskyy has pushed back on due to a lack of security assurances.

Zelensky’s office insists that any deal must be mutually beneficial, despite some officials viewing it as a shakedown. This complex negotiation process, coupled with Zelensky’s offer to resign for peace or NATO membership, illustrates the high stakes and difficult choices facing Ukraine as it continues to defend its sovereignty and seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict.