Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he is prepared to step down if it guarantees NATO membership for Ukraine.

During a press conference on Sunday, when asked whether he would resign in exchange for peace, Zelensky responded, “If this guarantees peace for Ukraine, if you truly want me to step down, I am ready. I could resign in exchange for NATO membership.”

His remarks follow tensions during a public meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, after which some Republican voices suggested that Zelensky should consider stepping down.

Speaking to the media in London, the Ukrainian leader dismissed the idea that his resignation would be a simple or effective solution, stating, “This is not just about an election. You cannot just let me go; this will be difficult. It seems like you will have to deal with me.”

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Zelensky reiterated that his mission would be accomplished if Ukraine secured NATO membership.

He also emphasised that frozen Russian assets belong to Ukraine, not to its international partners, and reaffirmed his commitment to preventing Russian control over his country.

His visit to the White House ended on a tense note as he left without signing an agreement related to Ukraine’s mineral rights. However, the move spurred European leaders to rally behind Ukraine.

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Walters told CNN, “We need a leader who can negotiate with us, handle Russia, and end this war. If Zelensky’s personal or political interests interfere with ending the conflict, then we have a bigger problem.”

Zelensky has consistently pushed for NATO membership as part of any peace deal, but Washington remains hesitant.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France and the UK are proposing a one-month ceasefire in Ukraine.

In an interview with Le Figaro, Macron also suggested that European nations should increase their defence spending to 3-3.5% of GDP in response to shifting U.S. priorities.

“Russia has spent 10% of its GDP on defense for the past three years; we must be prepared for the future,” Macron warned.

At a European summit, EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Kyiv, increasing defense expenditures, and working toward a ceasefire.

This renewed effort to unite NATO allies comes just two days after Trump’s controversial meeting with Zelensky, during which the former U.S. president displayed an undiplomatic stance towards his Ukrainian counterpart in a live broadcast from the White House.

In response, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Britain, France, and other nations would collaborate with Ukraine on a strategy to halt the war, which they intend to present to Washington.