Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his willingness to step down once the war with Russia concludes. In a recent video interview with Axios, he stated, "If we finish the war with the Russians, yes, I am ready not to go (for elections) because it's not my goal, elections." He emphasized that his primary focus is to assist his country during this challenging time and to end the conflict.

Zelenskyy indicated that he would request Ukraine's parliament to organize elections if a ceasefire is achieved. The presidential elections, originally scheduled for 2024, have been suspended due to martial law, which was enacted following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Zelenskyy, who was elected in 2019, has faced questions regarding his legitimacy as a leader from Russia, which has used the suspension of elections to challenge his authority.

Despite the ongoing war, Zelenskyy has maintained a high level of public trust among Ukrainians. A poll conducted in early September by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology revealed that approximately 59% of Ukrainians trust him, while about 34% do not.

Zelenskyy's comments came during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he met with U.S. President Donald Trump. During this meeting, Trump remarked that Ukraine is capable of reclaiming territory lost to Russia over the past three years, marking a notable shift in his previous stance on the conflict.

One of Zelenskyy's objectives during his visit was to secure additional long-range weapons from the United States. He warned that if Moscow refuses to end the war, Russian officials in the Kremlin should be aware of the nearest bomb shelter. This statement drew a response from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the deputy chairperson of Russia's Security Council. Medvedev stated, "Russia could use weapons that a bomb shelter wouldn't protect against. And the Americans should remember this."

As the war continues, Russia has been launching regular attacks on Ukraine, often involving hundreds of drones and missiles. In response, Ukraine has also been deploying long-range drones to target military assets and energy infrastructure, albeit on a smaller scale. Recently, Ukrainian officials reported that around 30,000 properties in the city of Chernihiv were left without power due to further Russian strikes on electricity infrastructure.