Ukrainian president rules out staying in office after end of war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he doesn't intend to lead his country after the war with Russia ends.

He made the remarks in an interview with Axios, also pledging to ask Ukraine's parliament to organise elections if a ceasefire is reached, as reported by Caliber.Az.

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.

Zelenskyy noted that the security situation and Ukraine's constitution both pose challenges. But he believes elections are possible. "During the ceasefire, I think security can give the possibility to have elections. It can be so," Zelenskyy added.

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 September 23 that if there's a ceasefire, "we can use this period of time, and I can give this signal to the parliament."

Zelenskyy 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.

For the record, Zelenskyy was elected in a landslide in 2019. If not for the war, his five-year term would have ended in May 2024.

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.

By Khagan Isayev