Kyiv, February 23 (BBC) – Zelensky hassaid that he is willing to give up presidency in exchange for Ukraine Nato membership. He adds that it is not his “dream” to be president for a decade, and he would leave his position if it led to peace for Ukraine
Zelesnky’s comments come after Russia launched a large-scale drone attack across Ukraine, the day before the third anniversary of the war
Ukraine’s foreign minister says “no one should trust Putin’s words. Look at his actions instead”
Last night saw a Russian drone assault like no other, writes BBC’s Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse
Zelensky says he is willing to give up presidency for peace or Nato membership
Zelensky’s hopes in wake of Russia’s ‘record’ drone attack – today in a nutshellpublished at 22:22 23 February
Zelensky sits on a large black leather armchair. He wears a black jumper and trousers and holds a microphone in his hand. He looks on ahead of him. There’s a blue background behind him taking up the rest of the pictureImage source, Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, when pressed at a news conference, said he is willing to give up the role in exchange for Nato membership for his country.
His comments come in the wake of the largest single drone attack of the war, as Ukrainian officials say 267 were launched into the country earlier today, causing casualties.
Tomorrow, on the third anniversary of the war, leaders will gather in Ukraine for further talks on an end to the conflict – Zelensky said it would be a “turning point”.
To mark the anniversary of the conflict there will be live coverage on the BBC, be sure to join us.
Until then, you can read about the “record” attacks, and Zelensky’s hopes.
What is Nato?: The military alliance was formed in 1949 by 12 western countries, with an agreement that if one member is attacked, the others will help defend it. Today, Nato has 32 members across Europe and North America.
Nato’s newest entrant: The most recent entrant was Finland, which broke a longstanding policy of neutrality to join the alliance following the outbreak of war between Ukraine and Russia, with which it shares a land border.
Russian defiance: Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine becoming a member, citing concerns it would bring Nato forces too close to its borders. Recently, the Kremlin told Zelensky to “sober up” when he suggested Nato membership was part of his “victory plan”.
‘’The long term’: Nato announced Ukraine could become a member back in 2008, but Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg negated this, saying Ukraine could join “in the long term” but not until after the war ended.
In today’s news conference, Zelensky says upcoming conversations with Europe and the US will put the topic Ukraine joining Nato “on the table”.
The UN Secretary-General has reaffirmed the “urgent need for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace” in Ukraine ahead of the third anniversary of the conflict.
Any peace deal must respect Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity”, Antonio Guterres says in a statement.
“Enough is enough,” he says, adding “after three years of death and destruction, I once again call for urgent de-escalation and an immediate end to the hostilities”.
We’ve just heard Zelensky’s hopes for a meeting with EU leaders to be a “turning point” for Ukraine and the war.
As Europe comes under pressure to boost its defence spending, and help reach a peace deal in Ukraine, leaders are discussing what they can offer.
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says she spoke to France’s President Emmanuel Macron and the UK’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
“We discussed our unflinching support to Ukraine, financially and militarily,” she says in a post on X.
Earlier in the week, Macron hosted two summits on Ukraine with several leaders from across Europe.
He and Starmer are both due in Washington this week for talks with US President Donald Trump.
“It’s not a toy, it’s a war,” he says. “We need partnership, we need help but we can’t lose our independence, we can’t lose our dignity”.
Zelensky also says that he hopes tomorrow’s meeting in Ukraine with European leaders will be a “turning point”.
Zelensky is now speaking about US demands for a share of its rare earth minerals – a “deal” Trump said would reflect the amount of aid the US had provided to Ukraine during its war with Russia.
Zelensky previously rejected the demands, but now says “we are ready to speak about minerals” to America. “We are ready to share,” but adds that the US needs to make Putin “end this war”.
He reiterates that Ukraine needs security guarantees, and the draft deals they have been offered so far are not what they want.
But Zelensky says talks are moving forward.
He adds that he has invited Trump to Ukraine and he wants him to be there “very much”, but says “unfortunately we haven’t achieved this yet”.
Zelensky says “maybe he will come or maybe I will go to Washington and it will be very useful”.
On negotiations to end the war, Zelensky says topic of joining Nato will be “on the table”, but he doesn’t know how these discussions “will finish”.
“But it is important for all of us to understand that it is not a table where Ukraine is invited,” he adds.
It is Ukraine who is “inviting European leaders because we are part of Europe”, he says.
He adds that it is important US leaders are there as well, “because they are our main help in this war”.
For context: Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine becoming a member of Nato, fearing it would bring Nato forces too close to its borders. However, in 2008, the alliance said that Ukraine could eventually join. Zelensky wants his country to become a member.
Aelensky is asked what assurances he needs from US President Donald Trump and whether he is happy to “give up” being president of Ukraine in exchange for peace.
He answers: “Yes, I am happy, if it is for the peace of Ukraine.”
“If you need me to leave this chair, I am ready to do that, and I also can exchange it for Nato membership for Ukraine.”
Zelensky says he is focused on Ukraine’s security now, not in 20 years’ time, adding that it is not his “dream” to remain president for decades.
Strong decisions to be made, says Zelensky.
