Experts on Zelensky's statement: "Disarms Trump"
The Ukrainian president's statement that he is ready to leave his post to achieve peace for his country should be seen as Zelensky raising the stakes. Former moderate Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt tells TV4 Nyheterna.
- It is a way in the ongoing political game that shows that he really wants to achieve something, he says.
Former Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi sees the statement as "very tactical".
- The willingness to resign is to neutralize the argument that he is a dictator. He has then disarmed many of both Trump's and the Russian arguments that Trump has echoed, he tells Expressen.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is willing to resign as president in exchange for peace in Ukraine or NATO membership, the BBC and Reuters report.
– Yes, I would be happy with that if it means peace in Ukraine, he says at a press conference in Kyiv.
He adds that he does not dream of being president for a decade, but that he wants a secure Ukraine now.
Trump is also pressuring Ukraine to sign an agreement that, according to Trump, would mean that the United States would receive rare earth metals worth $500 billion for the aid Ukraine has already received. Zelensky does not agree that Ukraine owes the United States that much money.
– The agreement means that Ukraine will give back two dollars for every dollar we have received.
Russian invasion • Negotiations
Zelenskyj: I am willing to resign in exchange for peace or NATO membership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is willing to resign as president in exchange for peace in Ukraine or NATO membership, the BBC and Reuters report.
– Yes, I would be happy with that if it means peace in Ukraine, he says at a press conference in Kyiv.
He adds that he does not dream of being president for a decade, but that he wants a safe Ukraine now.
Trump is also pressuring Ukraine to sign an agreement that, according to Trump, would mean that the United States would receive rare earth metals worth $500 billion for the support Ukraine has already received. Zelensky does not agree that Ukraine owes the United States that much money.
– The agreement means that Ukraine will give back two dollars for every dollar we have received.
Emil Forsberg
Updated 17.08 | Published 15.47
Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to resign as president.
In exchange, he wants peace in Ukraine.
– I would be happy, he says.
Donald Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of being “a dictator who does not arrange elections”.
At
a press conference in Kiev, Zelensky was asked if he was willing to
resign in exchange for peace, something he now opens up to:
– If I
need to leave this chair, I am ready to do so. I can also consider
exchanging it for NATO membership for Ukraine, he says.
Ukrainian
law prohibits elections while the country is under martial law. They
have been in place since Russia began its invasion in 2022.
Zelenskyj
also states that progress is being made with the US on the issue of the
controversial mineral agreement that will give the US Ukrainian assets
in exchange for continued support.
– We are making progress and
have been in contact with US officials during the day. We are ready, but
first Washington must ensure that Vladimir Putin ends this war.
Although
Russia has fiercely protested the negotiations for Ukraine to join
NATO, Zelenskyj says the proposal is still on the table.
– I am
focused on Ukraine's security now, not in 20 years. I want Ukraine to be
in the strongest possible negotiating position during the peace talks.
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