Zelensky Declares Willingness to Step Down After Russia-Ukraine War Ends

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his readiness to step down from presidency after the conclusion of the war with Russia.

In an interview with Axios on Thursday, Zelensky stated, "If we finish the war with the Russians, yes, I am ready not to go (for elections) because it's not my goal, elections".

The Ukrainian leader clarified that his priority is to help his country through the conflict, emphasizing that his sole objective currently is to end the war. He mentioned that should a ceasefire be achieved, he would request the parliament to organize elections.

Speaking to Axios, Zelensky explained, "During the ceasefire, I think security can give the possibility to have elections. It can be so."

Zelensky, who previously worked as a comedian, assumed office in 2019. While elections were scheduled for 2024, they were postponed due to the implementation of martial law following Russia's invasion in February 2022.

This postponement has given Russia grounds to repeatedly challenge the legitimacy of Zelensky's leadership.

During a significant meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in August, Zelensky reaffirmed that elections would take place in Ukraine once peace is established. He explained, "We need to work in parliament because during the war you can't have elections," and emphasized the necessity for democratic, transparent, and lawful elections.

Zelensky revealed that Ukraine was requesting long-range weapons from the United States, warning that if Moscow refuses to end the conflict, Russian officials in the Kremlin should be aware of their nearest bomb shelter locations.

In response to Zelensky's warning, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev posted on social media that "Russia could use weapons that a bomb shelter wouldn't protect against. And the Americans should remember this."

According to a survey conducted in early September by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, approximately 59% of Ukrainians expressed trust in Zelensky, while about 34% indicated they did not trust him, as reported by Reuters.