Three Years Since Russian Invasion Press Conference
"I Can Trade the Presidency for NATO"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the 23rd (local time) indicated that he could step down from the presidency if Ukraine joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Recently, after U.S. President Donald Trump called Zelensky a "dictator" and blamed him for the war, Zelensky emphasized his sincerity and repeatedly reaffirmed his intention to join NATO.
At a press conference held in Kyiv on the day marking three years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Zelensky said, "If it brings peace to Ukraine, and if I really have to step down from my position, I am ready," adding, "I can trade that for NATO." He further stated, "If that becomes the condition, I will step down immediately."
President Zelensky expressed his hope that the bilateral ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Russia would "be more than just simple mediation," emphasizing, "That alone is not enough." He also expressed his hope that President Trump would understand his position and urged for security guarantees to defend against Russian attacks.
Earlier, on the 18th, the U.S. and Russia began ceasefire negotiations while 'passing over' Ukraine, the party directly involved in the war. In response to Zelensky's opposition, President Trump criticized him by calling him a "dictator who has not held elections." Ukraine was supposed to hold a presidential election in March last year but postponed it due to martial law during the war. Russia claims that Zelensky is illegally maintaining the presidency without holding elections.
In this context, President Zelensky revealed his willingness to step down if Ukraine joins NATO, which he has demanded as one of the conditions for ceasefire negotiations. Ukraine's NATO membership is the biggest point of contention in the ceasefire talks. Russia has also set the abandonment of NATO membership as a red line for peace.
Regarding Trump's "dictator" remark, Zelensky explained, "If I were a real dictator, I would have been offended, but I am not a dictator and am a legitimately elected president," showing that he was unfazed.
On the mineral negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine, he stated that "progress is being made." Previously, President Trump pressured Ukraine to sign a mineral agreement that would transfer half of the rare earth mineral shares to the U.S. in exchange for weapons support and other aid.
However, President Zelensky rejected the notion that Ukraine owes a debt related to Trump's demand for about $500 billion (approximately 719.25 trillion won) as compensation for the aid provided to Ukraine over the past three years in the mineral negotiations. He said there would be no form of debt imposed on Ukraine in the final agreement, stating, "From tonight, the $500 billion issue is no longer on the table."
President Zelensky also mentioned that an important summit with 37 leaders attending both in-person and virtually would be held that day, calling it "probably a turning point."
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