• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
PoliticsUkraine

Zelenskiy says he would be ready to quit for sake of Ukraine peace

By
Volodymyr Verbianyi
Volodymyr Verbianyi
,
Aliaksandr Kudrytski
Aliaksandr Kudrytski
, and
Bloomberg
Bloomberg
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Volodymyr Verbianyi
Volodymyr Verbianyi
,
Aliaksandr Kudrytski
Aliaksandr Kudrytski
, and
Bloomberg
Bloomberg
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 23, 2025, 10:59 AM ET
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference in Kyiv on Feb. 19.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference in Kyiv on Feb. 19.etiana Dzhafarova—Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he would be ready to step down if it were to guarantee peace to his war-torn country.

Recommended Video

Speaking in a news conference in Kyiv on Sunday, Zelenskiy said he would happily trade his presidency for Ukraine’s NATO membership if such an offer was made. 

The Ukrainian president said it was clear he “won’t be in power for decades.” He was speaking a day before Russia’s full-scale invasion of his country reaches its three-year mark. 

The comments come after US President Donald Trump described Zelenskiy as a “dictator,” calling for Ukraine to hold elections as ties between Kyiv and its main foreign backer sour.

Russia has long demanded that Ukraine hold a presidential vote as part of a peace deal, though Ukrainian legislation prohibits the country from holding elections under martial law.

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Authors
By Volodymyr Verbianyi
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Aliaksandr Kudrytski
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Bloomberg
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Politics

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Politics

mamdani
PoliticsNew York City
At first meeting of Obama, Mamdani, they read to preschoolers and led a singalong
By Scott Bauer and The Associated PressApril 20, 2026
2 hours ago
Kevin Warsh, former governor of the US Federal Reserve, during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring meetings at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, April 25, 2025.
EconomyKevin Warsh
It’s crunch time for Kevin Warsh: Here’s how he might begin selling the idea of rate cuts. It requires some complex economic gymnastics
By Eleanor PringleApril 20, 2026
3 hours ago
Kalshi’s fight over sports betting is hurtling towards the Supreme Court—and the future of gambling is at stake
LawKalshi
Kalshi’s fight over sports betting is hurtling towards the Supreme Court—and the future of gambling is at stake
By Jeff John RobertsApril 20, 2026
9 hours ago
Starting Monday, businesses can claim refunds for Trump’s unconstitutional tariffs. But it will take 60-90 days to get paid
LawTariffs
Starting Monday, businesses can claim refunds for Trump’s unconstitutional tariffs. But it will take 60-90 days to get paid
By Mae Anderson and The Associated PressApril 19, 2026
16 hours ago
Feds arrest a Los Angeles woman at LAX on suspicion of helping Iran traffic weapons to Sudan
LawCrime
Feds arrest a Los Angeles woman at LAX on suspicion of helping Iran traffic weapons to Sudan
By The Associated PressApril 19, 2026
16 hours ago
Markets shudder as Strait of Hormuz starts resembling a combat zone. ‘We’re prepared to subject you to disabling fire’
EnergyIran
Markets shudder as Strait of Hormuz starts resembling a combat zone. ‘We’re prepared to subject you to disabling fire’
By Jason MaApril 19, 2026
17 hours ago

Most Popular

Thousands of CEOs admit AI had no impact on employment or productivity—and it has economists resurrecting a paradox from 40 years ago
AI
Thousands of CEOs admit AI had no impact on employment or productivity—and it has economists resurrecting a paradox from 40 years ago
By Sasha RogelbergApril 19, 2026
1 day ago
Markets shudder as Strait of Hormuz starts resembling a combat zone. 'We're prepared to subject you to disabling fire'
Energy
Markets shudder as Strait of Hormuz starts resembling a combat zone. 'We're prepared to subject you to disabling fire'
By Jason MaApril 19, 2026
17 hours ago
Elon Musk bans résumés and cover letters in hiring for his chip team. These are the 3 bullet points he’s looking for instead
Future of Work
Elon Musk bans résumés and cover letters in hiring for his chip team. These are the 3 bullet points he’s looking for instead
By Jake AngeloApril 19, 2026
1 day ago
The explosion of U.S. debt is wiping out the 'safety premium' of Treasury bonds, and time is running out for an orderly fiscal solution, IMF warns
Economy
The explosion of U.S. debt is wiping out the 'safety premium' of Treasury bonds, and time is running out for an orderly fiscal solution, IMF warns
By Jason MaApril 19, 2026
21 hours ago
'We should absolutely be concerned about non-college-educated men today': higher rents, living at home, falling out of the labor market
Economy
'We should absolutely be concerned about non-college-educated men today': higher rents, living at home, falling out of the labor market
By Catherina GioinoApril 18, 2026
2 days ago
The $6 billion Vatican Bank was beset by scandals, disastrous investments—and ties to the Mafia. How Pope Francis tried to fix it
Banking
The $6 billion Vatican Bank was beset by scandals, disastrous investments—and ties to the Mafia. How Pope Francis tried to fix it
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezApril 18, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.