Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in 2024.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy He would be prepared to give up his presidency if he did so under the security of the NATO military alliance.
Zelenskyy, at a government official forum for Kiev government officials, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, said: “If peace is to be achieved, you really need me to give up my post, I’m ready. Now.”
Zelenskyy answered a reporter’s question whether he would trade peace for peace, “I can trade for NATO.”
His comments appear to target the latest recommendations of the U.S. president Donald Trump and the Russian President Vladimir Putin Although Ukrainian legislation prohibits martial law, elections should be held in Ukraine.
Earlier on Sunday, Zelenskyy said Russia fired 267 strike drones to Ukraine overnight on Saturday, rather than any other war attack.
Ukrainian air force said 138 drones were shot down 13 Ukrainian regions and 119 more were lost on the way to the target.
The Air Force said it also launched three ballistic missiles. According to the city, it was killed in the city of Kryvyi Rih.
The attack took place as leaders in Kiev and Europe across the country seek rapid changes in U.S. foreign policy under Trump, who has continued years of firm support for Ukraine in a matter of days, causing him to worry about him Together with Moscow, one would force no connection to Ukraine and its European supporters.
Ukraine fears Trump’s policy shift to Putin
Trump’s interactions with Russian officials and his agreement to reopen diplomatic ties and economic cooperation with Moscow marks the drama of U.S. policy.
Zelenskyy expressed concerns that Trump’s quick resolution would lead to territorial loss in Ukraine, although U.S. officials assert that Ukrainian leaders would be involved if peace talks actually begin.
However, Trump sparked alarm and anger from Ukraine when he suggested that the war in Kiev this week, although Ukrainian legislation banned them in martial law, Zelensky did not hold elections to serve as a “dictator.”
Russia’s deputy foreign minister said on Saturday that preparations are being made for the Trump-Putin meeting are further signs that Russian leaders are isolated at least in the Trump administration and are beginning to thaw.
However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to the latest Russian attack, saying the overnight attack “showed that avoiding calling Russia an invader did not change that that is a fact.”
“No one should believe Putin’s words,” Sybiha said in a statement on social media.
Ukraine continues to have conversations with us about mineral transactions
Ukrainian officials discussed a deal on Sunday that would allow the United States to enter Ukrainian rare earth minerals, a proposal from the Trump administration is pushing, but Zelenskyy earlier refused to accept it because it lacks specific security assurances.
His chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, proposed at a forum held in Kiev to give up his presidency in exchange for peace and NATO presidency. and extract. ”
Yermak left the forum with Economy Secretary Yuliia Svyrydenko, who said he was negotiating potential deals with the U.S. representative. He said Ukraine’s mineral resources represent “a very important element that can play a role in the general structure of security assurance – military assurance and others”.
Yermak rejected Ukraine’s notion that it rejected the U.S. proposal, but said any agreement “must satisfy Ukraine’s national interests and undoubtedly our partner must be interesting.”
Before leaving the forum, Svyrydenko said that the Ukrainian region currently occupied by Russia has $350 billion worth of minerals. However, the calculation is based in part on geological maps dating back to the 1940s and 1960s, adding: “We have to do geological exploration and confirm our deposits on paper.”
Meanwhile, Putin praised the Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine for defending “their homeland, national interests and Russia’s future” in a special televised message on Sunday.
Putin used his speech among the defenders of Russia’s Day of Defense of the Motherland to assure greater social support for military personnel and for new weapons and equipment for Russian forces.
“Today, as the world develops, our strategic process of strengthening and developing the armed forces remains unchanged,” he said, and the future. ”
European leaders prepare to hold talks with Trump
Britain said on Sunday it would announce new Russian sanctions on Monday, the biggest packaging since the early days of the war. Foreign Minister David Lammy said the measures would aim to “erode (Russian) military machines and reduce revenues, thus fueling fires that were damaged by Ukraine.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will post tag visits to Washington this week as Europe tries to convince Trump not to give up for a peace deal Ukraine.
“Ukraine cannot be discussed without Ukraine, and the Ukrainian people must have a long-term safe future,” Starmer said at a Labor party gathering in Scotland on Sunday.
