Exclusive: Zelensky "ready" to leave office after war ends
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
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.
