On the eve of the third anniversary of Russia's invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that he was ready to step down if it meant Ukraine would be admitted to the NATO military alliance.

Speaking at a news conference in Kyiv, Zelensky, who has faced increasing criticism from the new U.S. administration, expressed his willingness to relinquish his post in exchange for NATO membership.

"If there is peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready," Zelensky said. "I can exchange it for NATO."

Zelensky has been advocating for Ukraine’s NATO membership as part of any peace deal to end the war, but the Washington-led alliance has been hesitant to make a commitment.

The Ukrainian president also reiterated his desire to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump before Trump holds talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This comes after a war of words between Zelensky and Trump following high-level talks between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia last week. The meeting was seen by many as undermining the West’s policy of isolating Moscow, angering Ukrainian and European leaders who were excluded from the discussions.

Trump has criticized Zelensky, calling him a “dictator” and making false claims about the origins of the war. He has also stated that Zelensky is unpopular in Ukraine, despite contrary public opinion polls.

Zelensky responded that he was not “offended” by Trump's remarks and expressed a desire to test his popularity once martial law in Ukraine is lifted.

“I very much want from Trump an understanding of each other,” he said, emphasizing that “security guarantees” from the U.S. president were “much needed.”

In addition, Zelensky called for Trump to meet with him before any potential summit with Putin.

"We are living a defining moment for Ukraine and European security," said Antonio Costa, head of the European Council, who announced a special European summit on the Ukraine war for March 6 in Brussels.

European leaders respond to changing geopolitical landscape

In Germany, conservative election winner Friedrich Merz said his priority would be to enhance Europe’s defense capabilities in light of the shifting geopolitical realities.

“After Donald Trump’s statements in the last week, it is clear that the Americans are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe,” Merz said after his party's clear victory in exit polls.

NATO chief Mark Rutte welcomed Merz’s leadership, emphasizing the need for Europe to step up defense spending amid the ongoing crisis. "It's vital that Europe step up on defence spending and your leadership will be key," Rutte posted on social media platform X.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to travel to Washington this week to advocate for continued support for Ukraine.

Kremlin calls dialogue with Trump "Promising"

Meanwhile, the Kremlin praised the dialogue between Trump and Putin, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling both leaders “extraordinary presidents” and describing their talks as “promising.”

“It is important that nothing prevents us from realizing the political will of the two heads of state,” Peskov said on state TV, though he ruled out any territorial concessions as part of a potential settlement. Moscow has also consistently opposed NATO membership for Ukraine.

"The people decided to join Russia a long time ago," Peskov said, referring to Moscow-staged votes in eastern Ukraine, which Kyiv, the West, and international monitors have dismissed as fraudulent. "No one will ever sell off these territories. That's the most important thing," he added.

Putin frames war as a divine mission

As the war's third anniversary approached, Russian President Vladimir Putin described his invasion of Ukraine as a mission backed by divine will. Speaking to Russian servicemen, Putin said, "Fate willed it so, God willed it so, if I may say so. A mission as difficult as it is honourable — defending Russia — has been placed on our and your shoulders together."

Russia's military launched 267 attack drones at Ukraine overnight Saturday into Sunday, according to Kyiv’s air force. Most of the drones were shot down or intercepted, and there were no reports of major damage.

UN calls for respect of Ukraine's territorial integrity

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged the international community to support a peace deal that respects Ukraine's "territorial integrity."

US-Russia diplomacy continues

In a related development, Russia’s TASS news agency reported that U.S. and Russian diplomats were scheduled to meet next week as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts. This follows recent talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saudi Arabia.

TASS also reported that Lavrov had arrived in Turkey for talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, set for Monday.