Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he is ready to step down if it contributes to peace in the country or if his resignation is a condition for Ukraine’s NATO membership. He made this statement during a press conference on February 23.
When asked whether he would leave office if it secured peace, Zelensky responded: “If this brings peace to Ukraine, if it is necessary for me to leave my position, then I am ready. The second scenario is that I can exchange this for NATO, if such a condition exists. I say this immediately so that we don’t drag this discussion on,” Pravda.com.ua reports.
He said his primary focus is on ensuring the country's security “not in 20 years, but right now”, adding that he does not intend to remain in power for long.
“This is probably my main priority and my ultimate goal,” he added.
Zelensky reiterated that NATO membership remains the most effective and cost-efficient way to guarantee Ukraine’s security.
“Whether someone likes it or not, whether they support it or not, this issue is on the table. It will remain on the table in discussions on security guarantees and negotiations. I don’t know how these negotiations will end, but in any format, under any conditions, this issue will be there. We will discuss it with our partners.”
He stressed that Ukraine is not merely invited to negotiations but is the initiator, since the war is happening on its territory.
“It is important that everyone understands: this is not a negotiation table where Ukraine is just an invited party. This is our table because the war is happening in Ukraine. It is we who are inviting, first and foremost, our European leaders, because the war is in Ukraine, and we are an integral part of this continent and the future European Union,” Zelensky stated.
According to him, Europe and the U.S. must be part of the negotiations on peace and security guarantees.
“We want to end this war, and so do our partners. They want Russia to be part of the negotiations, and Russia will be there. I truly believe that U.S. President Trump wants to and will help us end this war, but peace through strength means first and foremost directing that strength towards Russia,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, protests in support of Ukraine took place in multiple European cities, with demonstrators chanting against Russia and calling for Ukraine’s victory.
