Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that he is willing to step down from his position if it guarantees peace in Ukraine. During a press conference, Zelenskyy added that he would exchange his departure for Ukraine’s swift entry into NATO, underlining the significance of the alliance for his country’s security.
“If (it means) peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready,” Zelenskiy said, appearing visibly irritated when asked if he would step down in exchange for peace. He further stated, “I can exchange this for NATO (membership), if that condition is there, immediately.”
Trump’s Push for Elections and Criticism of Zelenskiy
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been vocal in pushing for elections in Ukraine, calling Zelenskiy a “dictator” due to his tenure extending beyond his official five-year term, which was set to expire in 2024. Russia has previously used this argument to claim that Zelenskiy is no longer a legitimate leader.
Ukraine has been under martial law since February 2022, the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Ukrainian law prohibits elections during martial law, and Zelenskiy has repeatedly opposed holding elections amid the ongoing conflict, a stance supported by key domestic political figures.
Trump has also falsely claimed that Zelenskiy has an approval rating of 4%, a statement the Ukrainian leader denounced as dangerous misinformation. A recent poll puts Zelenskiy’s approval at 63%, and he addressed Trump’s misleading claims during the press conference, stating, “I believe it’s not a mistake, it’s misinformation that has an impact.”
Rising Tensions Between Kyiv and Washington
Relations between Trump and Zelenskiy have deteriorated in recent weeks. Zelenskiy previously said Trump is in a “disinformation bubble,” angering the former U.S. president. Clarifying his remarks on Sunday, Zelenskiy stated, “The information about four percent of Ukrainians supporting me is one of the signals spread by the Russians, that’s why I said it was a disinformation attack, I didn’t say it was President Trump.”
Zelenskiy also stressed that he wants to see Trump as a true partner for Ukraine rather than just a mediator in negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. “I really want it to be more than just mediation… that’s not enough,” he emphasized.
Ukraine Rejects U.S. $500 Billion Minerals Deal
Trump has proposed that Ukraine compensate the United States with $500 billion in critical raw materials in return for the aid Kyiv has received under the previous Joe Biden administration.
Zelenskiy recently declined to sign a U.S. proposal that would grant Washington 50% of Ukraine’s critical mineral resources, which include graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium—the latter being a crucial component in electric vehicle batteries. While Zelenskiy acknowledged the need for a minerals deal, he insisted that it should include security guarantees for Ukraine.
“There cannot be (any) format which makes us debtors for the old (aid given),” Zelenskiy stated, rejecting the notion that Ukraine owes the U.S. for previous assistance.
He revealed that since the start of the war, Washington has provided $67 billion in weapons and $31.5 billion in direct budget support to Ukraine. “I will not sign what 10 generations of Ukrainians will be repaying,” he asserted regarding the proposed minerals agreement.
Ukraine’s Rich Resource Deposits and Strategic Importance
According to Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, 18% of Ukrainian territory remains under Russian occupation, and this region contains an estimated $350 billion worth of critical raw materials. Ukraine is conducting additional geological studies to update previous surveys on its natural resource reserves.
Meanwhile, Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, confirmed that Kyiv and Washington are continuing negotiations on developing Ukraine’s mineral resources. “We are moving forward with our work. This was a constructive discussion,” Yermak wrote on Telegram following talks with U.S. officials.
Zelenskiy’s Leadership at a Crossroads
As Ukraine continues to navigate the complexities of war, Zelenskiy’s latest remarks signal a major shift in his stance regarding his own presidency. Whether his resignation could realistically pave the way for peace remains uncertain, but his push for NATO membership, security assurances, and resource sovereignty highlights the key priorities for Ukraine’s future.
With tensions between Kyiv and Washington simmering and Russia’s occupation ongoing, Zelenskiy’s leadership remains at the center of Ukraine’s fight for stability and sovereignty. The coming weeks may determine the course of Ukraine’s alliances, economic strategy, and political future.
