In a bold declaration at a recent press conference in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he is “ready” to resign if doing so secures peace for his country. “If [it guarantees] peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to resign, I am ready. I can exchange it for NATO,” he said, underscoring his willingness to make personal sacrifices to end the ongoing conflict.
Zelensky’s remark comes amid heightened tensions over Ukraine’s future in NATO. The president previously indicated that Ukraine’s military would need to double in size if NATO membership were denied, a claim echoed by recent comments from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who dismissed Kyiv’s bid as unrealistic.
The comments followed an escalating dispute with former US President Donald Trump, who earlier falsely accused Ukraine of instigating the conflict. After Trump later acknowledged that “Russia attacked” but blamed both Joe Biden and Zelensky for not halting the violence sooner, Zelensky countered by labeling Trump’s claims as “disinformation.” In response, Trump referred to the Ukrainian leader as a “dictator,” further straining diplomatic ties at a critical juncture.
Amid these developments, US and Russian officials convened in Saudi Arabia for “exploratory” talks aimed at ending the war, leaving Kyiv sidelined—a move that has alarmed European allies. Adding to the tension, Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia launched a record 267 drones overnight, resulting in at least one fatality. Zelensky described the unprecedented strike as “aerial terror” and the largest attack since Iranian drones began targeting Ukrainian cities and villages.
“Every day, our people are resisting this terror,” Zelensky said, emphasizing the need for unity among international partners. “We need the strength of all of Europe, America, and everyone who desires a lasting peace.” Ukraine’s defense intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, condemned the drone assault as “purely a means of intimidation” and a “terrorist act.”
As Ukraine continues its struggle for peace amid complex international dynamics, Zelensky’s willingness to trade his position for a ceasefire reflects the desperate need for a diplomatic breakthrough in the conflict. CNN’s Ivana Kottasová and Svitlana Vlasova contributed to this report.