Zelenskyy offered to step down for NATO membership, urged Trump for security guarantees, dismissed Ukraine’s debt claims, and highlighted US-Ukraine resource negotiations. Russia intensified drone attacks, while US-Russia talks excluded Kyiv.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that he would step down as Ukraine’s leader if it meant securing NATO membership for the country. He expressed his willingness to leave office immediately if necessary, emphasizing that peace for Ukraine was his priority.

He also voiced his hope that former US President Donald Trump would be more than just a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow, stressing the need for stronger partnership rather than simple facilitation. As the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approached, tensions between Trump and Kyiv escalated, with Trump accusing Ukraine of initiating the war and labeling Zelenskyy a "dictator" for canceling elections due to the conflict. Trump also called for direct negotiations between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite Ukraine’s exclusion from recent peace discussions.

During the press conference, Zelenskyy urged Trump to provide concrete security guarantees to help Ukraine defend itself. He mentioned progress in negotiations over a deal that would allow the US access to Ukraine’s natural resources in exchange for security assistance. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, indicated that an agreement on Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals could be finalized within the week. Witkoff emphasized that achieving peace would require concessions from both sides, a process he claimed Trump excels at.

Zelenskyy suggested that deploying US troops in Ukraine would be a logical security measure if the minerals deal were signed. He also dismissed Trump’s claim that Ukraine owed the US $500 billion in wartime aid, pointing out that the Kiel Institute for the World Economy estimates US commitments to Ukraine at $114 billion. He argued that grants should not be treated as loans, responding to Trump’s criticism that the Biden administration provided aid in grants while the European Union opted for loans.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced upcoming diplomatic talks between Moscow and Washington aimed at addressing issues in their bilateral relations. These discussions follow a recent meeting in Riyadh between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, a meeting from which Kyiv was excluded.

On the eve of the war’s anniversary, Ukraine reported the largest drone attack since Iranian-made drones began targeting its territory. Zelenskyy stated that 267 Russian drones were launched, and Ukraine’s air force reported additional ballistic missile strikes by Moscow’s forces.