Zelensky Says Replacing Him as Ukraine’s Leader ‘Will Not Be Simple’

LONDON, March 3, 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that it would not be easy to replace him as the leader of Ukraine, but reiterated his willingness to step down in exchange for NATO membership for his war-ravaged country.

This comes after some US Republican figures suggested that Zelensky may need to resign, following a dramatic shift in US President Donald Trump’s stance towards him during a tense meeting at the White House on Friday regarding the ongoing war with Russia.

“If they replace me, given the current situation and the support I have, simply replacing me will not be straightforward,” Zelensky told British media.

“It’s not enough to just hold an election. You would also have to ensure I am not allowed to run. That would be more complicated. It looks like you would have to negotiate with me,” he added.

He continued, “And I have made it clear that I am willing to step down in exchange for NATO membership. Then, I will have fulfilled my mission.”

The contentious meeting in the Oval Office led to Zelensky leaving the White House without the expected signing of a preliminary agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral rights.

While European leaders have continued to show support for Ukraine, several Republican officials questioned whether any peace deal could be reached with Russia while Zelensky remains in power.

“We need a leader who can engage with us and, eventually, negotiate with the Russians to end this war,” National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told CNN.

“If it becomes clear that President Zelensky’s personal or political motivations are not aligned with ending the conflict, then I think we face a real problem,” he added.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, a Republican, also cast doubt on Zelensky’s leadership.

“Either he needs to reassess his position and come back to the table in good faith, or someone else should lead the country,” Johnson remarked.

In response to the growing criticism, senior Democratic leaders have strongly defended Zelensky, accusing Trump of dangerously veering towards an overt alignment with Russia.

Zelensky has repeatedly called for Ukraine to be granted NATO membership as part of any peace agreement to end the war. However, the US-led alliance has shown reluctance to make such a commitment.

Trump notably stated in February that Ukraine could “forget about” joining NATO as part of any settlement, suggesting that this issue may have been the catalyst for the conflict.

Russia had cited the potential for Ukraine’s NATO membership as one of the key reasons for its invasion three years ago, further complicating the situation.

Context:

The debate over NATO membership for Ukraine remains a central issue in the ongoing conflict. While many in the West, particularly European leaders, continue to back Ukraine’s right to self-determination and security guarantees, the issue of NATO membership remains a point of contention with Russia. The shifting dynamics in US politics, particularly with Trump’s stance, reflect the broader geopolitical challenges facing Ukraine as it navigates the war with Russia and the international pressure surrounding peace negotiations.