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Ukraine's Zelensky says he is ready to leave office after war: 'It's not my goal'
The presidential election in Ukraine, due in 2024, was suspended in line with martial law, introduced after the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would be ready to step down as Ukraine President after the war with Russia is over. Zelensky, who became the president in 2019, was set to serve till the end of 2024. He, however, remained at the top post amid a martial law after the launch of Russian invasion in February 2022.
"If we finish the war with the Russians, yes, I am ready not to go (for elections) because it's not my goal, elections," Zelensky told Axios in an interview.
Zelensky was in the US where he participated in the UN General Assembly and met American President Donald Trump.
"I wanted very much, in a very difficult period of time, to be with my country, help my country. My goal is to finish the war," he added.
The Ukrainian President said he would ask the Parliament to organise elections once the ceasefire is reached.
The presidential election in Ukraine, due in 2024, was suspended in line with martial law, introduced after the Russian invasion in February 2022.
However, during more than three years into the war, which has failed to made a headway for either of the two countries, Zelensky has maintained considerable public trust.
A recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showed that about 59 per cent of Ukrainians trusted Zelensky, while around 34 per cent of the participants did not trust him, Reuters reported.
‘Russian officials should end war or find bomb shelters’
Zelensky also warned Russia that the Kremlin would become a target and its officials should look for bomb shelters if Moscow does not stop its invasion of his country.
"They have to know where the bomb shelters are," Zelensky told Axios. "They need it. If they will not stop the war, they will need it in any case."
