Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that he is willing to step down if it would bring peace to Ukraine or secure the country’s NATO membership. Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on Sunday, just a day before the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy addressed the ongoing war and Ukraine’s future security, responding to a question from ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Ian Pannell. He said that if his resignation were truly necessary to achieve peace for Ukraine, he would be ready to step down. He also added that if Ukraine’s NATO membership depended on his departure, he would not hesitate to leave his position. He emphasized that his focus is on ensuring Ukraine’s security now and not in the distant future, and he has no intention of holding onto power for an extended period.
Zelenskyy’s remarks come at a time of increasing tension with U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently accused him of being a “dictator without elections” and suggested that he was an obstacle to achieving peace in Ukraine. Trump’s comments followed U.S.-Russia talks held in Saudi Arabia last week, where Ukraine was notably excluded. After the talks, Trump warned that Zelenskyy needed to act quickly or risk losing his country entirely.
The Trump administration has reportedly put pressure on Ukraine to sign an agreement that would require the country to pay the United States $500 billion through a fund that would be financed by allocating 50% of Ukraine’s revenue from natural resources, ports, and other infrastructure projects. Trump has framed this as a way for Ukraine to repay the aid it has received from the U.S. since 2022.
Zelenskyy has refused to sign the proposed agreement, arguing that it does not include any guarantees for Ukraine’s security. He also pointed out that the $500 billion amount being demanded is five times more than what the U.S. has actually provided to Ukraine since the war began. According to estimates from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the U.S. has committed around $119 billion in aid for Ukraine since 2022, which includes military, financial, and humanitarian assistance.
During the press conference, Zelenskyy stated that he was not willing to agree to pay back $500 billion, as Ukraine has received about $100 billion in total aid from the U.S. He also criticized the terms of the proposed deal, highlighting that it would require Ukraine to pay back two dollars for every dollar received. He reiterated that he was open to direct dialogue with President Trump to find a fair solution but was not willing to sign an agreement that would place an undue financial burden on future generations of Ukrainians.
A senior Ukrainian official told ABC News that Ukraine had suggested paying back $100 billion to the U.S. instead, but Zelenskyy expressed discomfort with this figure, noting that the financial aid had been approved through bipartisan agreements in the U.S. Congress as a grant and not a loan that required repayment with interest.
Zelenskyy also emphasized that Ukraine’s NATO membership remains the most effective and sustainable solution for the country’s long-term security. He stressed that any peace deal must include strong security guarantees to be viable and lasting. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Trump administration has been pressuring Ukraine to withdraw an annual United Nations resolution that condemns Russia’s 2022 invasion. Instead, the U.S. is pushing for a new statement that does not directly assign blame to Russia. Ukraine has so far refused to withdraw the resolution.
As Trump pushes for an end to the war, his administration has placed increasing pressure solely on Ukraine, demanding that it make significant concessions while asking little of Russia beyond halting hostilities. Zelenskyy acknowledged that Trump has expressed a desire to end the war swiftly and said that he believes Trump genuinely wants to help Ukraine achieve peace. However, he warned that any resolution must be fair and not come at Ukraine’s expense.
Zelenskyy stressed that peace through strength must be directed toward Russia, as it is the aggressor in the war. He expressed his hope that Trump would align with Ukraine and not simply act as a mediator. He reiterated the need for strong security guarantees from the United States, emphasizing that any peace agreement must ensure Ukraine’s lasting protection.
While acknowledging bipartisan support for Ukraine in the U.S. Congress, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine needs long-term security arrangements. He also pointed out that even if Trump were able to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin in the short term, future leaders may not be as effective in keeping Russia at bay. He emphasized that peace must be secured for the long run, stating that while Trump’s involvement in peace negotiations could be influential, he will not be in office forever, and Ukraine requires security that will endure beyond any one leader’s tenure.
