Zelenskyy Says He’s Willing to Resign in Exchange for Ukraine Joining NATO

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at a press conference during the European Political Community Summit in Budapest, Hungary, on Nov. 7, 2024. Bernadett Szabo/Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Feb. 23 that he would immediately resign as president in exchange for his country gaining NATO membership.

“If there is peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready. ... I can exchange it for NATO,” Zelenskyy told a press conference in Kyiv.

He noted that he would do so “immediately” if necessary.

Zelenskyy’s comments were made as the United States works on negotiating an end to the Russia–Ukraine war after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Kyiv joining NATO was unrealistic. Zelenskyy said previously that Ukraine would need to double its army’s size if it is denied NATO membership.

The Ukrainian president has been involved in a back-and-forth with President Donald Trump, with the latter accusing Zelenskyy of starting the war with Russia. While Trump acknowledged that Russia attacked Ukraine first with its large-scale invasion, he blamed both Zelenskyy and former President Joe Biden for not doing enough to stop the conflict.

Zelenskyy fired back at Trump, accusing him of being in a “disinformation space” after Trump called him a dictator for refusing to hold elections. Zelenskyy, whose five-year term expired in May 2024, has remained in power since declaring martial law after Russia invaded.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also called for elections in Ukraine as part of any peace agreement.

Putin said in late January that he won’t entertain direct talks with Zelenskyy, whom he views as “illegitimate,” according to Radio Free Europe.

This week, U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to end the war but left Ukraine out of the negotiations.

“I want very much from Trump understanding of each other,” Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Kyiv on Feb. 23. “Security guarantees from Trump are much needed.”

Zelenskyy noted that his country and the United States are closer to reaching an agreement on Ukraine offering natural resources in exchange for U.S. security assistance.

Trump said on Feb. 21 that the deal is nearly finalized.

“We’re signing an agreement hopefully in the next fairly short period of time,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Feb. 21. “I think we’re pretty close.”

Ukrainian officials said on Feb. 23 that Russia launched 267 drones overnight, killing at least one person.

In a Feb. 23 post on the social platform X, Zelenskyy said that the overnight assault was the “largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages.”

“We must do everything possible to bring a lasting and just peace to Ukraine,” he said. “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.”

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.