Ukrainian President Zelensky Open to Leaving Office Post-War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated on Wednesday that he might be willing to step down once the war with Russia comes to an end.

“When the war with Russia is over, I’m ready to move on from my role,” Zelensky shared during a wide-ranging discussion with Axios. “My focus has always been on helping my country during this challenging time, not on elections.”

Zelensky, who is 47 years old, assumed the presidency in April 2019 for a five-year term. However, elections originally set for March 2024 have been postponed indefinitely due to martial law established after the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Some critics in the U.S., including former President Trump, have accused Zelensky of using the delay in elections to consolidate power. Trump had referred to him as a “dictator” during a particularly tense moment in their relationship.

On Wednesday, Zelensky acknowledged that Ukrainians might desire a “leader with new obligations” to steer the nation into its post-war era.

Additionally, he mentioned that elections could take place during a ceasefire if a permanent peace agreement isn’t reached. “I think that security could allow for elections in such scenarios,” he noted, suggesting that there may be some truth to this idea.

Both Ukraine and the U.S. have shown willingness to suspend combat for the sake of negotiating long-term agreements, although Russia has consistently rejected such overtures.

During a UN General Assembly appearance, Zelensky met with 79-year-old Trump, with reports suggesting that their rapport has improved. Trump responded with a fierce statement labeling Russia as a “paper tiger,” while expressing optimism that Ukraine could regain all its lost territory—and potentially more.

Currently, around 20% of Ukrainian territory remains under Russian occupation.