"If the Russia-Ukraine war ends, I am ready not to participate in the presidential election, because that is not my goal. My goal is to end the war," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the US news agency Axios today.
President Zelensky said he "wants to be with the country during this very difficult period," affirming that he would request the Ukrainian parliament to hold a presidential election if a ceasefire with Russia is achieved.
The Ukrainian leader also said his country is seeking new long-range weapons from the US, warning that "officials working at the Kremlin should know where the nearest bomb shelter is" if Moscow refuses to negotiate an end to the conflict with Kyiv.
The Kremlin has not commented on the statements, while Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev retorted that Moscow "could use weapons that bomb shelters cannot withstand."
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on 12/9. Photo: AFP |
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on 12/9. Photo: AFP
Zelensky took office in 5/2019 after winning the election the previous month. His term was initially expected to last five years.
However, the election scheduled for 2024 has been postponed due to the martial law decree that Ukraine enacted after the conflict erupted. This has led Russia to repeatedly question Zelensky's legitimacy as President of Ukraine.
In a meeting with Zelensky on 23/9, US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that Ukraine could regain the areas controlled by Russia, urging Kyiv to "act immediately" while Moscow is facing economic problems.
US Vice President JD Vance later said Trump is "extremely impatient with Russia" for not offering sufficient conditions to end the conflict. "Refusing to negotiate would be very bad for Russia. This is not a change of position, but an acknowledgment of the reality on the ground," Vance said.
When asked about the comments and statements of the US leader, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed that Trump's statements do not contradict the US's desire for an end to the conflict.
Some European experts and officials see Trump's comments as a signal to leaders in the region that "it is time for them to act and do more to meet Ukraine's financial and weapons needs."
Nguyen Tien (AFP, AP, Reuters, TASS)
