Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday evening that his replacement would not be “easy,” as the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump seeks his departure due to his refusal to yield to Moscow's demands.
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Zelensky, who has worn military clothes since the Russian invasion of his country in February 2022, told the press in London: “Given what’s happening and the support I have, replacing me simply won’t be that easy.”
Last week, Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of being a “dictator” because of his failure to hold the elections originally scheduled in Ukraine, which were postponed due to the war.
Zelensky added: “It won’t be just about organizing elections; I would also need to be prevented from running, which would be a bit more complicated.”
The Ukrainian president, who seeks security guarantees for his country in the event of a ceasefire, reminded that he had previously offered to resign in exchange for Ukraine joining NATO. He said on Sunday evening: “If there is NATO and there is an end to the war, that means I have completed my mission.”
On Sunday, leaders of NATO-aligned countries held a summit in London to demonstrate their support for Kyiv and their commitment to doing more for European security, as well as increasing defense spending. They also reaffirmed the need for strong U.S. support following the heated verbal exchange between Trump and Zelensky.
The meeting served as an opportunity for leaders to unify their position and show their support for Zelensky, just 48 hours after his altercation with Trump, in which the former U.S. president criticized Zelensky for putting himself in a “very bad position” and claimed he “has no cards in his hand,” urging him to negotiate peace with Russia.
Washington has again intensified pressure on Zelensky, with U.S. officials suggesting his potential departure.
White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said, “We need a leader who can work with us and deal with the Russians at some point and end this war.” – (AFP)
