Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at London Stansted Airport after a day of meeting European and world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, and enjoying tea with King Charles at Sandringham
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will step down as leader of the war-ravaged country in exchange for one thing, as he confirms his officials are talking to Donald Trump’s administration again after an explosive White House meeting.
Speaking at London Stansted Airport after a day meeting with European and world leaders and King Charles, Zelensky said his country’s freedom is “not for sale”. Despite vowing not to quit despite pressure from the Trump administration after a White House talks descended into a chaotic shouting match, the leader did say he would step down as President if it meant Ukraine could join NATO.
“I am exchangable for NATO,” he told reporters. “I have said that I am exchanging for NATO membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission.”
The actor-turned-politician has long campaigned with Western leaders for Ukraine to be given an opportunity to join the alliance in order for the country to receive stronger protection against Russia. However, Russian despot Vladimir Putin and his team have consistently argued that allowing Ukraine to join NATO is a non-negotiable, warning a chilling and volatile response if the country were to join.
“To change me it will not be easy,” Zelensky added. “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.”
Asked about reports that the UK and France want a one-month truce in fighting between Ukraine and Russia, Zelensky simply responded “I’m aware of everything.”
When it came to whether or not a line of communication was still open with the Trump administration after an unprecedented White House meeting that saw Zelensky ganged up on and a planned press conference cancelled, he said: “There is communication, not on my level.”
But, he refused to apologise for the way talks disintegrated with Trump and his Vice President JD Vance. Asked about the minerals deal which formed the basis of the showdown on Friday, Zelensky confirmed Ukraine was “ready to sign it”.
The embattled leader said any security guarantees agreed must give Putin “zero per cent [chance] of coming back again”. He added that “a ceasefire is not enough”, hoping guarantees would be detailed and made public within weeks.
“If we are talking about a ceasefire, this will be a failure for everyone,” he said, suggesting that a ceasefire wihout a guarantee is a “trap”. He added that nobody would win when a deal was broken, saying Russia would be the ones to break it.