Zelensky says he’s willing to leave Ukraine’s presidency for sake of peace or NATO membership

Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is willing to step down from Ukraine’s presidency for the sake of peace in the country. He made this remark during a press conference in Kyiv on Sunday, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda.

“I am ready to leave my post if it means peace for Ukraine or trade my position for NATO [membership] — I don’t plan to stay in power for decades,” Zelensky said.

Later in the same press conference, Zelensky contested Donald Trump’s claim that the U.S. has sent $350 billion in aid to Ukraine and argued that the figure is closer to $100 billion. 

“But I’m unwilling to acknowledge even $100 billion [in debt] because a grant is not a debt. I negotiated this with [former U.S. President Joe] Biden. There is an agreement that this is a grant. We do not recognize this as debt,” Zelensky explained, adding that he will not sign a mining deal with the Trump administration that would saddle “10 generations of Ukrainians” with debt.

In a conflict that has grown increasingly heated and public, U.S. President Donald Trump last week denounced Zelensky as a “dictator” and demanded that Ukraine hold new presidential elections.

Volodymyr Zelensky’s current five-year presidential term would have expired in May 2024, but the country’s constitution prohibits holding elections during a period of martial law. Zelensky remains in office until a new election can be conducted after the cessation of martial law.