Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Kyiv on Sunday he would be willing to step down from the presidency if doing so meant peace for Ukraine — adding he would also do so if it meant Ukraine would be granted NATO membership.

Zelenskyy made the comments on Sunday during a forum of government officials in Kyiv (marking the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine): “If it is peace for Ukraine, and if you really want me to leave my post, I’m ready. Alternatively, I can trade this for NATO membership, if such conditions exist, immediately, so we don’t have lengthy discussions. I’m focusing on Ukraine’s security today, not in 20 years. And I don’t intend to stay in power for decades. This is my focus and my greatest aspiration.”

Zelenskyy’s statements come amid an ongoing public dispute with President Donald Trump, after the U.S. and Russia resumed high-level talks last week with several senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, met with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia. Trump accused Zelenskyy of being a “dictator without elections”. Their war or words escalated last week when Trump suggested that the Ukrainian president was responsible for starting the war between Russia. In response, the Ukrainian president accused Trump of living in a “disinformation bubble” and pushing Kremlin talking points.

When asked about Trump on Sunday, Zelenskyy told reporters in Ukrainian: “we are partners and I want him on our side  There is no space for emotions. I have pragmatic position. I can’t name these words a compliment, but what can I do? I am the elected president by 73% of Ukrainian people. After the martial law, there will be elections. Perhaps he will say something good about me. It is more important what Ukrainians think about me.”

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