Zelenskyy willing to resign in return for Ukraine NATO membership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he would be willing to resign if it meant Ukraine could join NATO.
In short:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he would be willing to step down as president if it meant Ukraine could join the NATO military alliance.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has previously said there is no pathway for Ukraine to join the military bloc.
Russia launched 267 drone at targets overnight, the largest single drone attack since Russia's invasion began.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he would be prepared to resign as president if it meant Ukraine could join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
The Ukrainian president has long called for his country to be admitted into the military alliance, comprised of the United States, Canada and a number of European countries.
But such a move has been staunchly opposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who views it as encroachment on his country's sphere of influence.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv a day before Ukraine marks three years since the beginning of Russia's invasion, Mr Zelenskyy said he still believed NATO membership was on the table.
"If there is peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready … I can exchange it for NATO,"he said.
Earlier this month, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said he did not see NATO membership as a "realistic" scenario for Ukraine post-war.
At the same press conference, Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and the US were still working on a deal to exchange rare earth minerals for security guarantees.
Ukraine hit by largest overnight drone strikes since war began
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says nearly 270 drones struck five different regions on Saturday night and Sunday morning. (Reuters/Dnipropetrovsk emergency services)
Russia's military has carried out the biggest single night of drone attacks on Ukraine since its invasion began, targeting five regions with at least 267 Iranian drones.
It is the latest in a series of overnight drone attacks in recent months, as Russia seeks to exhaust Ukraine's air defences.
On Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the latest strikes.
"Every day, our people stand against aerial terror," he wrote on X.
"On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, Russia launched 267 attack drones against Ukraine — the largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages."
Russia has been launching near-daily strikes at Ukrainian cities in recent months. (Reuters: Gleb Garanich)
Mr Zelenskyy said that in total, nearly 1,150 attack drones, more than 1,400 guided aerial bombs and 35 missiles of various types, were launched by Russia at Ukraine in the past week.
Ukraine's air force said in a statement that 138 of the drones were downed and another 119 disappeared from radars after being jammed by electronic warfare, adding that Russia also launched three ballistic missiles.
Damage was reported in five regions of Ukraine.
Plea for Ukraine to be involved in peace talks
The latest attacks come as Ukraine's allies continue to urge the United States to ensure any peace deal to end the war involves Ukraine itself.
In recent weeks, US President Donald Trump has sought to end the years of isolation faced by Russia by starting talks to end the conflict.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is among world leaders insisting Ukraine be part of negotiations with Russia. (AP: Carl Court)
European allies have raised concerns both Ukraine and the wider European community may be excluded from negotiations.
On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there could be no talks to end the war without Ukraine.
"Nobody wants the bloodshed to continue. Nobody, least of all the Ukrainians," he said.
"But after everything that they have suffered, after everything that they have fought for, there could be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine, and the people of Ukraine must have a long-term secure future."
Mr Zelenskyy called on the country's foreign allies to stand united to secure a "just and lasting peace".
A Paris protest calling for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. (Reuters: Sarah Meyssonnier)
"This is achievable through the unity of all partners — we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who seeks lasting peace."
Three years of war
Monday marks the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has devastated the country.
Thousands of Ukrainian citizens have died and over 6 million live as refugees abroad since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion by land, sea and air.
Protesters in Dublin gathered to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion. (Reuters: Clodagh Kilcoyne)
Military losses have been catastrophic, although they remain closely guarded secrets. Public Western estimates based on intelligence reports vary widely, but most say hundreds of thousands have been killed or wounded on each side.
Tragedy has touched families in every corner of Ukraine, where military funerals are commonplace in major cities and far-flung villages.
French protesters gathered in Paris and Nantes on the eve of the invasion anniversary. (Reuters: Sarah Meyssonnier)
People gathered at rallies across Europe on Sunday, local time, to commemorate the anniversary and call for an end to the Russian invasion.
Reuters/AFP