Press Conference in Kyiv on the 3rd Anniversary of the War
“NATO Membership Possible Through Exchange of Presidency”
“U.S. $100 Billion Subsidy…Not Debt”
“Cannot Sign Generational Mineral Agreements”
“Elections to Be Held After Martial Law is Lifted”
“Kursk May Provide Opportunity for Territorial Exchange”,
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine attending the joint press conference at the ‘Ukraine. 2025’ forum held in Kyiv, the capital, on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of the war, on the 23rd (local time). 2025.2.23 Kyiv AFP Yonhap News,
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, ‘President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine mentioned the possibility of resignation for the first time.’,
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, ‘President Zelensky stated at the press conference marking the 3rd anniversary of the war held in Kyiv on the 23rd (local time), “I am prepared to step down from the presidency.”‘,
,
, ‘He added, “If it is necessary for Ukraine to achieve peace, I am ready to do so, even if it means stepping down from the presidency.”‘,
,
, ‘However, President Zelensky made NATO membership a condition.’,
,
, ‘He said, “If my resignation guarantees NATO membership, I will do so immediately,” and stressed, “My priority is Ukraine’s security, not power. I have no intention of maintaining power for decades,” discussing ‘conditional resignation.’
,
, ‘However, both President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Donald Trump of the United States oppose Ukraine’s NATO membership.’,
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, “U.S. $350 Billion Aid? $100 Billion… Even That Isn’t Debt”
“Mineral Negotiations Need to Be ‘Win-Win’; Cannot Burden Future Generations”, ‘On this day, President Zelensky refuted President Trump’s claim, stating that the aid provided to Ukraine by the U.S. over the last three years is not $350 billion (about 505 trillion won), but only $100 billion (about 144 trillion won).’,
,
, ‘He also emphasized, “I can’t recognize even the $100 billion as debt. We agreed with (former U.S. President) Joe Biden to receive this support in the form of grants. Grants are not debt.”‘,
,
, ‘Further, he stated he would not sign any mineral agreements that are unfavorable to Ukraine.’,
,
, ‘President Zelensky mentioned that mineral negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine are “making progress,” but insisted, “I will not sign anything bad for Ukraine.”‘,
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, ‘He stated, “Contracts must satisfy both parties. If one party is displeased, it is not a partnership,” and stressed, “Any agreement must be a ‘win-win’ for both American and Ukrainian citizens.”‘,
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, ‘President Zelensky added, “I cannot sign agreements that future generations would have to pay for over ten generations,” expressing a desire for dialogue with President Trump.’,
,
, ‘Previously, President Trump had demanded $500 billion (about 719 trillion won) worth of mineral resources from Ukraine in exchange for U.S. security guarantees.’,
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, ‘Furthermore, President Zelensky commented on the threat that the U.S. might cut off SpaceX’s satellite internet service Starlink during the mineral negotiations, saying, “Thanks to our partners Poland and Germany, we pay monthly usage fees. It is not a free ride,” calling such threats inappropriate.’,
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, Responses to Trump’s Dictator Accusation: “I Am the Legitimately Elected President”
“Election to Be Held After Lifting Martial Law; Half Unable to Vote”,
On the 23rd (local time), a day before the 3rd anniversary of the war, rescuers are working in Kostiantynivka, an industrial city in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, which was bombarded by Russian airstrikes. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine announced that Russia had launched a massive attack using 267 drones throughout Ukraine on the same day. 2025.2.23 Donetsk EPA Yonhap News (Provided by National Emergency Service of Ukraine),
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, ‘President Zelensky responded to President Trump’s accusation of being a “dictator”.’,
,
, ‘He stated, “If feeling unhappy about being called a dictator makes one a dictator, I am not upset because I am not a dictator. I am the legitimately elected president.”‘,
,
, ‘Presidents Trump and Putin previously referred to President Zelensky as a “dictator who does not hold elections” and an “illegal president,” respectively.’,
,
, ‘President Zelensky’s term ended last May but he has maintained his presidency by extending martial law.’,
,
, ‘He emphasized, “What matters to me is how the Ukrainian people view me. 65% of the citizens trust me. The approval rating of 4% mentioned by President Trump is misinformation.”‘,
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, ‘He then stated, “elections will be held once martial law is lifted.”‘,
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, ‘However, President Zelensky pointed out, “even if elections are held, half of the Ukrainian people, including residents of Russian-occupied territories and those on the frontlines, will not be able to vote. Can election monitors reach Pokrovsk?” Pokrovsk is a key location in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk, most of which is occupied by Russia.’,
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, ‘This suggests that while elections may be possible after martial law is lifted, conducting normal elections is difficult as long as hostilities continue.’,
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, Criticism of Putin over Drone Strikes: “Wants Peace Yet Fires 267 Drones”
“Trump is Not Permanent… Ukraine Needs Long-Term Peace”
“No Intent to Rule for Decades But Won’t Allow Putin to Dominate”, ‘President Zelensky also criticized, “Does one who wants peace launch 267 drones?” referring to the large-scale drone attack by Russia on the day. He further criticized President Putin as an “unchanging Russian.”’,
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, ‘Earlier, President Trump claimed that President Putin wanted peace.’,
,
, ‘President Zelensky emphasized, “President Trump is not permanent and we need long-term peace.”‘,
,
, ‘He pointed out that even if President Putin halts attacks during President Trump’s term, without sure security guarantees, the threat from Russia remains permanent.’,
,
, ‘President Zelensky called on President Trump to play a role beyond just a mediator, asking for assurance that Ukraine can defend itself.’,
,
, ‘He reiterated, “I have no plans to rule for decades, but I will not allow Putin to dominate Ukraine.”‘,
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, ‘Meanwhile, President Zelensky expressed hope regarding parts of Russia’s western Kursk region, occupied by Ukrainian forces, as an opportunity for territorial exchange.’,
,
, ‘He stated, “Kursk will be helpful once we reach the stage of restoring territorial integrity.”‘,
,
, ‘However, he clarified that just because Russia does not want territorial exchanges, he will not annex Kursk as Ukrainian territory, stating “We are only interested in our territory.”‘,
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, ‘This implies a refusal to recognize any Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia as Russian.’,
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