Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday that replacing him as the country’s leader would not be an easy task, following US President Donald Trump’s recent harsh comments regarding his leadership.
Zelensky, in an interview with British media, reiterated his offer to step down in exchange for NATO membership for Ukraine, a move he believes could help secure peace and end the ongoing war with Russia.
The Ukrainian President’s remarks came after a tense Oval Office meeting on Friday, where Trump appeared to shift his stance on supporting Ukraine, suggesting Zelensky might need to resign for any potential peace deal with Russia.
“If they replace me, it will not be simple, given what is going on and the support we have,” Zelensky said, emphasising that a mere election would not suffice and negotiations would likely be necessary to make such a transition happen.
While European leaders continue to support Ukraine, Republican officials in the US have expressed doubts about Zelensky’s leadership, questioning whether he could effectively negotiate a resolution with Russia.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz suggested that if Zelensky’s motivations are not aligned with ending the war, a change in leadership might be necessary.
Despite pressure from some US Republicans, Zelensky remains firm on his demand for NATO membership, a stance that has been a central point of his calls for international support.
However, NATO has shown reluctance to make such a commitment, while Russia cited Ukraine’s potential NATO membership as a key reason for its invasion.
