Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that replacing him as the country’s leader “will not be simple,” as he reiterated his willingness to step down in exchange for Ukraine’s NATO membership.
Speaking to British media on Sunday, Zelensky addressed recent remarks from U.S. Republicans suggesting he should resign, following a tense Oval Office meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Zelensky told British media, “If they replace me, given what is going on, given the support, simply replacing me will not be simple.
“It’s not enough to just hold an election. You need to also not let me run. This will be a bit more difficult. Looks like you will have to negotiate with me.”
He reaffirmed his stance that NATO membership for Ukraine could be a condition for his departure. “I said that I am exchanging for NATO. Then I fulfilled my mission,” he added.
The dispute escalated after Zelensky left the White House on Friday without securing a preliminary pact on Ukrainian mineral rights, following an intense exchange with Trump.
While European leaders have continued their support for Ukraine, Republican officials in the U.S. questioned whether Zelensky was the right leader to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
“We need a leader that can deal with us, eventually deal with the Russians, and end this war,” National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told CNN.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson also suggested Zelensky may need to step aside, stating, “Either he needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country.”
Democratic leaders have strongly pushed back against such statements, warning that Trump’s stance is edging closer to openly favoring Russia.
Zelensky has continued to advocate for Ukraine’s NATO membership as part of a potential settlement to end the war.
However, Trump has dismissed the idea, stating in February that Ukraine could “forget about” joining the alliance, explaining: “I think that’s probably the reason the whole thing started.”
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