Volodymyr Zelensky is willing to “immediately” step down as president of Ukraine in exchange for peace or the country being granted Nato membership.

On Sunday, the Ukrainian president told a press conference in Kyiv: “If there is peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready...I can exchange it for Nato.”

Mr Zelensky added that he was focused on Ukraine’s security now, not in 20 years’ time, saying that it is not his “dream” to remain president for a decade.

His comments came after Donald Trump branded him a “dictator” for not holding elections, which are banned under martial law in Ukraine.

Reports emerged this week that Ukraine may be forced to hold elections before any final peace deal is signed with Russia.

Mr Trump said the demand for a Ukrainian presidential election “came from me”. He then appeared to blame Ukraine for starting the war and not reaching an agreement itself.

“You’ve been there for three years ... You should have never started it. You could have made a deal,” he said.