Ukraine’s president has said he would step down in return for peace and NATO membership for his country.
“If (it means) peace for Ukraine if you need me to leave my post, I am ready,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a news conference.
I can exchange this for NATO [membership], if that condition is there, immediately,” he added.
During a wide-ranging conference in Kyiv, Mr Zelenskyy also said talks on a minerals deal with the US were moving forward, adding “all is OK”, despite concerns of a stalemate in negotiations.
Mr Zelenskyy also said that next week’s visits to Washington by Keir Starmer and Emanuel Macron were vital.
He said Europe had to be “at the table” when a peace deal is negotiated.
“Who will represent Europe – I can’t tell you now exactly,” he said.
“But I think one person will represent the EU. And of course, the UK has to be at the table, if we speak, for example, about security guarantees.”
The Ukrainian leader was speaking after his country was hit overnight with what he called the biggest drone attack since the war started.
Mr Zelenskyy condemned Russia for the “aerial terror” – a day before the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Every day, our people stand against aerial terror,” Mr Zelenskyy wrote on X.
“On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, Russia launched 267 attack drones against Ukraine – the largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages.”
A total of 138 of the drones were shot down and another 119 disappeared from radars after being jammed by electronic warfare, Ukraine’s air force said.
Damage was reported across five regions.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Russia launched more than 200 drones in an overnight attack, the largest of the war, as he condemned Russia’s “aerial terror” and called for unity among Ukraine’s allies.
Mr Zelenskyy said nearly 1,150 drones, more than 1,400 guided aerial bombs, and 35 missiles had been launched at Ukraine in the past week.
He thanked those operating air defenses and called on allies to stand united to secure a “just and lasting peace”.
“This is achievable through the unity of all partners – we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who seeks lasting peace,” he said.
“Every day, our people stand against aerial terror,” he wrote on X.
“On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, Russia launched 267 attack drones against Ukraine — the largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages.”
