Zelensky offers to quit for NATO access

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he is willing to resign if NATO membership is granted to Ukraine during a press conference in Kyiv, as reported by AFP and Reuters. This statement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump increases dialogue with Russia in an effort to end the ongoing three-year war. Zelensky is seeking Trump’s partnership rather than his mediation role in potential peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. He added that he desires concrete security guarantees from Trump to defend against Russia. The past months saw Trump claim the U.S. as Ukraine’s major war support contributor, expecting repayment. Zelensky denied owing $500 billion to the U.S., refusing to view war support as a loan. Tensions between the two leaders grew following Trump’s labeling of Zelensky as a dictator on Truth Social, a tag Zelensky rebuffs, affirming his legitimate presidency.