Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to step down if it facilitates Ukraine’s accession to NATO, emphasizing that the alliance remains the most cost-effective and logical means of preventing further war with Russia. His remarks come amid growing tensions with the United States following critical comments from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Taking to social media platform X on Sunday, Zelenskyy asserted that NATO membership was crucial for Ukraine’s security. “NATO is the most cost-effective option for preventing another war. It is the simplest and most logical solution,” he said. He further noted that without NATO membership, Ukraine would be forced to build a similarly strong military force internally, necessitating extensive funding, weapons production, and strategic partnerships.
Zelenskyy also stressed the urgency of securing comprehensive security guarantees to counter Russian aggression. “We need to weigh everything—what is cheaper, what is more realistic, and what can be done faster,” he added.
In a significant declaration, the Ukrainian leader said he was prepared to resign “immediately” if it would facilitate Ukraine’s entry into NATO and ensure lasting peace. He urged Trump to “understand” his position and provide concrete security guarantees for Kyiv’s defense against the Russian invasion.
The announcement follows contentious discussions between Ukraine and the U.S. regarding a proposed rare minerals deal. Zelenskyy revealed that a U.S. plan to claim $500 billion in profits from Ukrainian rare minerals in exchange for wartime assistance had been scrapped. He had previously rejected the agreement due to the absence of security guarantees and concerns that treating aid as a debt repayment would set a dangerous precedent.
Zelenskyy’s relations with Trump have become increasingly strained after the U.S. president reestablished diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow, signaling a stark policy shift. Further complicating matters, Trump sparked outrage in Kyiv by suggesting that Ukraine had instigated the war and accusing Zelenskyy of acting as a “dictator” by not holding elections amid the conflict.
The United States is also preparing to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council and General Assembly advocating for a “swift end” to the Ukraine conflict. Notably, the proposal omits any reference to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, a move that has unsettled Kyiv and its European allies.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other top EU officials are set to arrive in Kyiv on Monday for discussions with Ukraine’s government, as diplomatic maneuvering around the war continues.
