Lucy Clarke-BillingsBBC NewsZelensky says he’s keen to surrender presidency for peace or Nato membershipVolodymyr Zelensky mentioned he could be keen to “surrender” his presidency in trade for peace forward of the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”If you wish to have me to go away this chair, I’m able to try this. And I can also trade it for Nato club for Ukraine,” the Ukrainian president mentioned in accordance with a query right through a information convention.His feedback got here after US President Donald Trump referred to as Zelensky a “dictator with out elections” previous within the week.”I wasn’t indignant [by the comment], however a dictator could be,” Zelensky, who was once democratically elected in Would possibly 2019, replied on Sunday.Zelensky mentioned he was once these days excited about Ukraine’s safety and it was once now not his “dream” to stay president for a decade.Ukrainian regulation bans elections right through martial regulation, which has been in position since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.EU and global leaders are because of head to Kyiv on Monday to turn their make stronger for Ukraine and talk about safety promises.Spanish High Minister Pedro Sanchez, Eu Council President Antonio Costa and Eu Fee President Ursula von der Leyen are amongst the ones anticipated to wait the assembly in individual.Zelensky mentioned the subject of Ukraine becoming a member of Nato could be “at the desk” on the assembly however he didn’t know the way the discussions would “end”. He mentioned he was hoping the assembly could be a “turning level”. At the subject of Trump, Zelensky mentioned that he sought after to look america president as a spouse to Ukraine and greater than a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.”I in reality need it to be extra than simply mediation…that is not sufficient,” he informed the click convention. His feedback come as political leaders in Europe worry Kyiv is being sidelined in talks to convey an finish to the conflict.Zelensky was once additionally requested a few possible deal the Trump management has driven for to give you the US get entry to to Ukrainian uncommon earth minerals.”We’re making growth,” Zelensky mentioned, including that Ukrainian and US officers have been in contact concerning the deal. “We’re able to percentage,” the Ukrainian chief mentioned, however made transparent that Washington first wanted to verify Russian President Vladimir Putin “ends this conflict”.
ReutersZelensky’s press convention got here hours after Russia introduced its biggest unmarried drone assault on Ukraine but right through the present warfare, Ukrainian officers mentioned.On Saturday evening, Ukraine’s Air Pressure Command spokesman Yuriy Ignat mentioned a “report” 267 Russian drones had been introduced in one, coordinated assault at the nation. 13 areas had been focused and whilst most of the drones had been repelled, those who weren’t brought about destruction to infrastructure and no less than 3 casualties, emergency services and products mentioned. Ukraine’s Air Pressure reported that 138 of the drones had been shot down and 119, which have been decoy drones, had been misplaced with out unfavorable penalties, most likely because of jamming.In Kyiv, the assault intended six hours of air indicators.In a remark, Zelensky claimed that 1,150 drones, 1,400 bombs and 35 missiles had been introduced through Russia this week.He thanked Ukraine’s emergency services and products for his or her reaction to Saturday evening’s assault and referred to as for the make stronger of Europe and US in facilitating “a long-lasting and simply peace”.In a submit on X, Ukraine’s First Woman Olena Zelenska mentioned that “masses of drones” had “introduced demise and destruction” in a single day. “It was once any other evening of explosions, burning homes and vehicles, and destroyed infrastructure,” she wrote. “Some other evening when other folks prayed for his or her family members to live on”.
Ukrainian State Emergency ServicesEmergency services and products had been deployed around the nation after the assault on Saturday nightOn Monday, the conflict will input its 3rd 12 months.Because it does, diplomatic wrangling over a possible peace deal proceed, with Ukraine, Eu allies and america providing differing visions for the best way to finish the warfare.The United States and Russia held initial talks in Saudi Arabia this week – with out delegates from Europe, together with Ukraine, provide – which led to Eu leaders keeping a hastily-arranged summit in Paris.Zelensky criticised Ukraine’s exclusion from the US-Russia talks, announcing Trump was once “residing in a disinformation house” ruled through Moscow, prompting Trump to reply through calling the Ukrainian president a “dictator”.French President Emmanuel Macron is anticipated to seek advice from Washington on Monday, whilst UK High Minister Sir Keir Starmer can be there on Thursday.Sir Keir has publicly sponsored Zelensky, reiterating the United Kingdom’s “ironclad make stronger” for Kyiv, and mentioned he would talk about the significance of Ukraine’s sovereignty when he speaks to Trump.Pope Francis – who’s in medical institution with respiration sickness – wrote in a remarks launched on Sunday that the 3rd anniversary of the conflict was once “a painful and shameful instance for the entire of humanity”.
