Ukrainian President Folodimir Zelinski offered to abandon his position in exchange for peace and membership in NATO, where his country had what he called the largest Russian drone attack he faced. Since the war It started.

Zelinski made the presentation at a press conference in Kiev on Sunday, when the rift between him and the new government in the United States, led by President Donald Trump, expands on the eve of the three anniversary of Russia’s full war on Ukraine.

“if [it means] “Peace be upon Ukraine, if you really need to leave my position, I am ready,” Zelinski said. “I can exchange this for NATO [membership]If this condition is present immediately. “

In a sharp change from the former US administration of President Joe Biden, who supported Zelinski and Ukraine, Trump increasingly attacked The Ukrainian president since assuming his post last month. Last week, Trump described Zelenskyy as a “dictator” that had nothing but the support of the Ukrainians. He made these comments after the Ukrainian leader said that Trump was working in “the field of misinformation” after the American president expressed their opinions by Russia in the war.

But Zelinski said on Sunday that he wanted the US president to be a partner, not just a mediator.

“I really want to be more than just mediation. Zellinski said:” This is not enough, “adding that he wants to meet Trump before any meeting between the American leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The United States appears to provide its support to Ukraine, conditional on a deal for rare Earth’s minerals in the end. Washington initially demanded 50 percent of mineral ownership in exchange for its continuous support from Kiev.

Ukraine indicated that a deal could be negotiated, but on Sunday, Trump refused to confirm that his country owes $ 500 billion to the United States. The Ukrainian president said that the funds provided were in the form of grants, not loans, and should not be linked to any metal deal.

US officials said on Sunday that they expect a deal soon.

Trump Steve Witkev’s envoy said that Zelinski had hesitated “in his commitment to [US access to Ukrainian minerals] A week ago, “But after a message from Trump, he no longer” hesitates more. “Witkoff expects this week’s deal to be signed.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessin also said the deal will be signed and that he was “hoped” to happen this week.

All this comes against the background of a rapprochement between Trump and Putin and the direct dialogue between Moscow and Washington in recent weeks to discuss ending the war, including a meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Sunday that Russian and American teams are planning to meet this week to discuss how relations can be improved.

“We are awaiting real progress when the meeting scheduled for the meeting will be held at the end of next week,” government news agency Tas quoted as saying.

Ukraine does not participate in the talks of Russia and the United States, which prompted Zelinski to confirm that an agreement on Ukraine, without the Ukrainians, is not possible.

The largest drone attack

Zelinski said earlier that Russia had conducted the largest attack on drones at Ukraine since the war began, as it fired 267 drones against his country overnight.

He wrote on social media, Zelenskyy said that last week, Russia fired nearly 1150 drones, more than 1,400 from the guided air bomb and 35 rockets in Ukraine.

“Every day, our people stand against air terrorism,” said Zelinski calling on Europe and the United States to stand with Ukraine.

Air Force spokesman, Yuri Iganat, said that one of the drones that were launched from Saturday night to Sunday early, 138 were intercepted by the air defenses while 119 “was lost” without causing damage.

He said that 267 drones were monitored in the Ukrainian sky “recorded for one attack” since Russia invaded Ukraine.

A separate statement of the Ukrainian armed forces on a telegram on Sunday said that many areas, including the capital of Ukraine, Kiev, were “successful”.

On Saturday, the regional authorities said that a Russian missile attack on the city of Kreifi Rier had killed a man and wounded five people.

“The war continues. Every person who is able to help with air defense must work to promote the protection of human life. We must do everything possible to bring permanent and fair peace To Ukraine, “Zelenskyy said.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. However, the Russian forces and its allies have been fighting in eastern Ukraine since 2014, and Russia included the Crimea in Ukraine in the same year, although this was not recognized globally.

Imran Khan from Al -Jazeera from Kiev said that Imran Khan the Ukrainians refer to Russian drones as “terrorism with state sponsorship.”

He said: “It is actually scary for civilians to be subjected to these attacks, even if they are successfully intercepted.”

Since the war began, Ukraine has sought to disrupt Russian logistics services away from the front lines to try to prevent daily strikes, especially by attacking military bases and industrial sites inside Russia itself directly.