Exclusive: Zelensky "ready" to leave office after war ends

NEW YORK — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Barak Ravid on "The Axios Show" that he doesn't intend to lead his country in peacetime. Zelensky also vowed to ask Ukraine's parliament to organize elections if a ceasefire is reached.Why it matters: Asked whether he would see his job as finished when the war was over, Zelensky said he would be "ready" to step down. "My goal is to finish the war," not to continue to run for office, he said.Elections have been indefinitely postponed due to the war — a point seized on by critics, including President Trump. Zelensky noted that the security situation and Ukraine's constitution both pose challenges. But he believes elections are possible.Driving the news: Zelensky sat down for the interview in New York immediately before departing the UN General Assembly to return to Kyiv. Asked whether he'd commit to pushing forward with elections if a multi-month ceasefire is agreed, he answered "yes."He said he'd told Trump when they met on Tuesday that if there's a ceasefire, "we can use this period of time, and I can give this signal to the parliament."Zelensky said he understands people may want "a leader with ... a new mandate" to make the momentous decisions needed to achieve a long-term peace.He noted that security concerns would make organizing elections difficult, but he believes it can be done.Zoom out: Zelensky was elected in a landslide in 2019. If not for the war, his five-year term would have ended in May 2024.His popularity surged to around 90% in the early months of the war. Trump falsely claimed in February that it was down to 4%, but most recent surveys put it well above 60%.Zelensky faced the first major domestic protests of the war in July after his parliamentary allies moved to weaken Ukraine's independent anti-corruption agencies. While the move was swiftly reversed, it raised concerns about Ukraine's democratic trajectory under Zelensky.If Zelensky endorsed a bill to organize elections, it would likely pass easily given his party's large majority in parliament.Between the lines: Elections are explicitly banned under Ukraine's constitution during a time of martial law. And even if that were overcome, the security situation would make the logistics extremely difficult.Around 20% of Ukraine is occupied by Russia and millions of Ukrainians are displaced. The entire country is within range of Russian strikes, should Moscow attempt to disrupt the process."During the ceasefire, I think security can give the possibility to have elections. It can be so," Zelensky said.What to watch: There's much more to come from this interview. The full episode will air Friday.

Comments

World news

Boy’s prosthetic eye shows love for Jays

Global News

MTG names her one positive to come from the shutdown: the end to ‘taxpayer-funded weather modification’ that isn’t really happening

about 8 hours ago

Two arrested over two separate rape allegations

The i Paper

Comments

Similar News

Amazon’s $40m Melania Trump doc set for January release with ‘exclusive footage’ of ‘critical meetings’

Halifax gym removes race-based pricing after 'criticism,' says it was not meant to be 'exclusive'

Exclusive — Trump on Gaza deal push: "I said, 'Bibi, this is your chance for victory'"

Exclusive: Trump says Gaza peace deal in "final stages"

Exclusive: Zelensky didn't think he'd survive this long after invasion

Exclusive: Russian officials must end war or find bomb shelters, Zelensky says

Exclusive: Trump's letting Putin "embarrass" the U.S., Sen. Shaheen says

Exclusive: White House AI adviser targets market share in race with China

Exclusive: White House adviser says AI won't spark unemployment

Exclusive: Chips may be "only advantage we have" over China, Amodei says

Exclusive: Trump "wrong on the facts" in $15B defamation suit, NYT editor says

Exclusive: FCC commissioner criticizes administration for "weaponizing" agency's authority

Exclusive: "Massive ten-year" AI boom is just starting, AMD CEO says

Exclusive: AI's ability to displace jobs is advancing quickly, Anthropic CEO says

Exclusive: Anthropic's Claude is getting better at building itself, Amodei says

Bright Nights fundraiser leaving Vancouver: Global BC exclusive

Exclusive: Musk got DOGE's mission "backward," Lutnick says

World news

Boy’s prosthetic eye shows love for Jays

Investigation launched after budget airline jet almost dives into ocean moments after takeoff

One scandal too many forces UK monarchy to sideline Prince Andrew

Heightened sense of urgency around this 'No Kings Day'

Carter interception, TD run key in Lions’ win

Israel identifies remains of another hostage handed over by Hamas

Kremlin pitches £6,000,000,000 ‘peace bridge’ between Russia and America

Harper Lee’s short stories are charming – but what if she never wanted them published?

The five best poetry books of all time, according to Hollie McNish

Afghan and Pakistani delegations head to Doha for crisis talks

'I was forced to watch my wife be gang raped by seven men - it was three hours of hell'

Budget airliner hurtles towards sea at 300mph seconds after take off

Skeletal woman 'locked in bedroom for 27 YEARS' utters three chilling words when found

Where the 'most beautiful girl in world' is now after viral fame and controversy

Chinese Nobel laureate and physicist Chen Ning Yang dies aged 103

Ohtani rewrites history to send Dodgers to World Series

After Zelenskyy meeting, Trump calls on Ukraine and Russia to 'stop where they are' and end the war

Lions win fifth straight, eliminate Elks

The China spy case debacle shows governments have few secrets worth knowing

I’m a tour guide – banning loudspeakers can’t come soon enough

How to save your soil after the dry summer, according to an RHS expert

Gen Z protests against corruption and inequality are shaking Morocco. Here's what to know

Heavy security after deadly violence in Kenya as thousands turn out to mourn former PM Odinga

Mexican artisans turn clay into Trees of Life that are celebrated worldwide

Deadly floods in Mexico another sign of need for improved severe weather warnings

Hamas returns remains of 10th Israeli hostage from Gaza

The female scientists who finally found an answer to endometriosis wait times

‘We’re not communists’: One club’s fight for English rugby’s soul

I moved to the Tuscan village that pays people €20k to live there

Three easy and flavourful Indian recipes, including creamy chicken curry

Stephen Mangan: ‘We don’t live for ever – my mum’s death taught me that when I was young’

I’m 69 and struggling to pay bills – I was cheated when my pension was frozen

Reeves is doom and gloom but her messy Budget may be ‘hated’ Starmer’s only hope

The 14 best new children’s books for autumn 2025

The monarchy is stronger now Andrew and Fergie are banished

Three ways Newcastle’s new director of football will change transfer plans

'Putin is afraid,' says Zelenskyy - as Tomahawk missiles not ruled out

How an old suitcase revealed a hidden family fortune, lost under Nazi rule

Trump only one who can force Putin to negotiating table, Finnish president tells BBC

The Spritzes and Carbonaras That Ate Italy

The Indonesian Free-Food Program That Has Sickened Thousands

Bombers win ugly to keep playoff hopes alive

Bombers edge Riders in ‘ugly win’ to move closer to playoff spot

Kelowna City spends millions on downtown land to bring longtime hotel vision to reality

Cheat the Week: Perry and Trudeau’s kiss fuels romance rumours

Convenience store worker bought a lotto ticket on her way to break. It ended with her much richer

Navy holding two prisoners who survived US strike on alleged drug sub in Caribbean: report

Pennsylvania teen dies from bacterial meningitis months before graduation

MTG names her one positive to come from the shutdown: the end to ‘taxpayer-funded weather modification’ that isn’t really happening

Two arrested over two separate rape allegations

‘Holy grail’ cancer test finds signs before symptoms appear

From barracks to palace: Soldiers who led military coups to become state leaders

Bombers beat Riders on late Castillo field goal

Knights take first game in their OHL Rivalry Week series with decisive victory in Kitchener

Seattle Mariners take 3-2 lead in ALCS

Our 2025 guide to the best treadmills in Canada for every fitness level

Springer leaves Game 5 after being hit by pitch

Cheat the Week: Trump hails ‘new dawn’ as Hamas releases final hostages

Hamas continues efforts to return bodies of hostages under ceasefire deal

Trump ends sentence of controversial lying ex-congressman