Zelenskyy willing to step down for NATO membership, seeks meeting with Trump

2 hrs ago

Diane Duenez Weekend Managing Editor

By Diane Duenez (Weekend Managing Editor)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he is willing to step down from his position if it means Ukraine can join NATO and achieve peace. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for unity among all partners to bring lasting peace to Ukraine.
He discussed an agreement with the U.S. involving aid and minerals, while calling for a meeting with President Donald Trump before signing it.
Zelenskyy expressed concerns that a quick resolution pushed by Trump could result in Ukraine losing territory and remaining vulnerable to future Russian aggression.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will step down as Ukraine’s president for NATO membership. During a press conference on Sunday, Feb. 23, Zelenskyy said he would resign his post if it meant an end to the fighting. “If to achieve peace, you really need me to give up my post, I’m ready,” he said. “I can trade it for NATO.”

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Zelenskyy posted on X Sunday morning, “We must do everything possible to bring a lasting and just peace to Ukraine. This is achievable through the unity of all partners—we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who seeks lasting peace.”

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What’s the latest on the rare earths deal?

The Ukrainian president also spoke about an agreement that would see the U.S. provide the war-torn country with additional aid in exchange for its rare earth minerals.

“If your conditions are, ‘We will not give you aid if you do not sign an agreement,’ then it is clear,” Zelenskyy said. However, before signing the deal, Zelenskyy said he wanted a meeting with President Donald Trump.

“If we are forced and we cannot do without it, then we should probably go for it … I just want a dialogue with President Trump.”

The deal allows the U.S. access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals as a form of compensation for the assistance the U.S. has provided to Kyiv as it defends against Russia’s invasion. Monday, Feb. 24, marks three years since the start of the invasion.

Zelenskyy refuted an original offer, stating it did not provide Ukraine with the necessary security guarantees to deter Russian attacks.

However, Zelenskyy is now saying he is open to brokering a deal that would let the U.S. profit from his country’s minerals. He did add that the $500 billion sum initially proposed by the Trump administration wasn’t acceptable, saying, “I am not signing something that will be paid off by 10 generations of Ukrainians.”

Zelenskyy expressed concerns that a quick resolution pushed by Trump could result in Ukraine losing territory and remaining vulnerable to future Russian aggression. U.S. officials have asserted that the Ukrainian leader would be involved if and when peace talks begin.

Trump and Zelenskyy’s strained relationship

Trump angered the Ukrainian leader on Wednesday, Feb. 19, when he suggested that Kyiv had started the war and accused Zelenskyy of acting as a “dictator” by not holding elections. While Ukraine’s elections were supposed to take place in 2024, the country is currently under martial law due to Russia’s invasion, meaning presidential and parliamentary elections are on hold.

Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Saturday, Feb. 22, that preparations were underway for a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy told CNN he thinks he can mend his relationship with Trump.

“That’s why, for me, it is very important to have the support of the president, and support of Senate, Congress, your two parties, but first of all the support for your people. And I count on it very much, and I am thankful we have it,” he said.