‘I’ll quit in exchange for joining Nato’, Zelensky says – as Ukrainian leader ‘back in touch’ with US after Trump clash
VOLODYMYR Zelensky has insisted he will happily step down from office in exchange for Ukraine joining Nato.
The Ukrainian leader has also confirmed his officials are now back in touch with President Trump's administration after their seismic Oval Office showdown on Friday.
Zelensky spoke to reporters at London Stansted airport after a day meeting European leaders and holding talks with Sir Keir Starmer over finding a long-term peace deal.
He said that his country's freedom is "not for sale" and vowed not to quit despite pressure from the US after his White House bust-up.
But the brave leader did once again offer to step down as Ukraine's president if it meant his country would be invited into the Nato alliance.
Zelensky said: "I am exchangeable for Nato.
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"I have said that I am exchanging for Nato membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission."
The president has long been campaigning with Western leaders to grant Ukraine a chance to be a part of the group to give them stronger protection from Russia.
Tyrant Vladimir Putin and his cronies have consistently said allowing Ukraine to join the alliance is a non-negotiable.
If they were allowed in then it would create a chilling and volatile response, the Kremlin has previously warned.
Zelensky added: "To change me it will not be easy. You would need to prevent me from participating in elections and it will be a bit more difficult. You will need to negotiate with me."
His warning shot about his future came after US National Security Adviser Mile Waltz said he may have to quit his post to get talks back on track.
He also wouldn't be drawn on reported proposals tonight that the UK and France want a one-month truce in fighting between Ukraine and Russia.
He would only say: "I'm aware of everything."
Regarding links with the White House following Friday's debacle with President Trump, he would only say: "There is communication, not on my level".
But he refused to apologise for the way the talks panned out with the US leader and his deputy JD Vance.
Alongside meetings with European leaders this weekend, Zelensky told The Sun he was "very grateful" for the support of the royal family.
He singled out King Charles in how he "helps Ukraine" since the country was invaded three years ago. He said: "We are very thankful for the Royal family and their support".
Zelensky was speaking after talks at the London summit and his tea with the King in Sandringham.
But he said any security guarantees must give Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin "zero per cent of coming back again".
He added that he hoped the guarantees will be spelled out and made public within weeks as he declared "a ceasefire is not enough".
He suggested that without any guarantee it's just a "trap".
He added: "If we are talking about a ceasefire, this will be a failure for everyone."
Zelensky said that no one will win from this when it was broken, saying Russian would be the ones to break it.
It comes as Britain and France are set to lead a new “coalition of the willing” to help defend Ukraine with jets and troops, Sir Keir Starmer has declared.
The PM warned Europe must step up and “do the heavy lifting” - while still scrambling for America’s “strong” backing.
Unveiling his battle plan for the war-torn country, the PM told a press conference: “This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead, and to unite, around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
He unveiled a £1.6 billion finance deal to help Ukraine buy more than 5,000 missiles and vowed to keep the weapons flowing while ramping up economic pressure on Russia.
And he pledged to develop a “coalition of the willing” to defend any future peace deal.
He insisted the UK was ready to send "boots on the ground and planes in the air, alongside France and others.
Once the details are ironed out, he said he and Mr Macron will present the plan for peace to Trump, acting as a “bridge” between Washington and Kyiv.
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Sir Keir added: “Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back.
"Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency."
