Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday that replacing him as the country’s leader would not be an easy task, while reiterating his offer to step down in exchange for Ukraine’s NATO membership.
This remark comes after some U.S. Republican figures suggested that Zelensky might need to resign following a heated Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump about the ongoing war with Russia.
Zelensky told British media, “If they replace me, considering what’s happening and the level of support, it won’t be simple.” He added, “It’s not just about holding an election. You would also need to ensure that I don’t run, which would be a bit more challenging. It seems that you would have to negotiate with me.”
“I’ve said I’d step down in exchange for NATO membership. Once that happens, I will have fulfilled my mission,” he concluded.
The disagreement in the Oval Office led to Zelensky leaving the White House without signing a preliminary agreement to share Ukrainian mineral rights, which had been expected.
While European leaders continue to back Ukraine, some Republican officials have expressed doubts about whether any peace deal could be reached with Russia as long as Zelensky remains in power.
“We need a leader who can work with us and, eventually, with the Russians to end this war,” said National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on CNN. “If it becomes clear that President Zelensky’s personal or political motivations are standing in the way of ending the conflict, then that presents a serious issue.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, also raised concerns about Zelensky’s leadership, stating, “Either he needs to come to his senses and return to the negotiating table with gratitude, or someone else should lead the country.”
In response to the public spat, senior Democratic leaders have pushed back strongly, accusing Trump of dangerously aligning with Russia’s stance.
Zelensky has long advocated for Ukraine’s NATO membership as part of a potential resolution to the war, though the Washington-led alliance has been hesitant to make such a commitment. Trump, in a February statement, dismissed the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO, calling it “probably the reason the whole thing started.”
Russia has used the prospect of Ukraine’s NATO membership as one of the key justifications for its invasion three years ago.
