With the gaze of the world put in Ukraine for his war against Russia, the Ukrainian president, Volodímir Zelenskihas launched a message that can completely change the political course of the country: is willing to leave the presidency if the peace arrives.
From New York, within the framework of the, the president has given a ‘, in which he combines opening gestures, such as the Possibility of calling elections in case of Alto El Fuegohard Warnings to Moscowto whom he remembers that, “if he does not stop war,” he will have to know where his shelters are because “they will need them.”
When asked by the journalist Barak ravid On whether he promised to convene elections in the event that the fire was agreed, Zelenski has answered with a forceful “yes”, in addition to admitting that also You are willing not to present these hypothetical elections, provided that the war has ended.
“If the war with the Russians ends, I am ready not to introduce myself”he states. “I wanted to be with my country and help my country for a very difficult period of time. That is what I have always wanted. My goal is to end the war, not keep running for a position“, emphasizes.
In fact, he commented that he had already raised this option to the president of the United States, Donald Trumpduring the In New York. “We can use that period of time (that of Alto el Fuego), and I can give that signal to Parliament”he points out, adding that he understands that part of the citizenship wants “A leader … with a new mandate” that can achieve a long -term peace.
Why hasn’t you presented elections?
Zelenski came to power in 2019 after an overwhelming victory at the polls y His mandate should have finished, or should have been presented to new elections, in May 2024. However, the elections have postponed indefinitely due to war, a circumstance that Kremlin, as well as some political leaders, including Trump, have taken the opportunity to question Zelenski’s legitimacy.
His mandate was automatically extended because Ukrainian legislation prevents the call for elections while the martial law is in forceestablished since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
Beyond the legal level, the security It is another of the big challenges: About 20% of the Ukrainian territory is under Russian occupationmillions of citizens are displaced And the whole country remains exposed to the continuous attacks of the Kremlinwhich could try to interrupt the electoral process.
In any case, Zelenski continues to have the support of much of the population. His popularity shot up to 90% in the first months of the invasion And, although it has descended, It remains well above 60%according to recent surveys.
It would be Warning to Russia: “If they don’t stop war, they will need their shelters”
On the other hand, in the same interview, the Ukrainian President has insisted that, To count on, kyiv would use them against Russia, although only against military targets: “We are not terrorists. Our people today hate the Russians because they started war and murder us, but all our people understand that we do not need to attack civilians.”
Zelenski has also launched a warning message to the Russian dome in case no agreement will prosper: “They have to know where the shelters are (antiacereos). They have to know where the shelters are. If they do not stop the war, they will need them”.
In addition, he has asked the allied countries “pressure on Russia”, for the security of Ukraine and Europe. “Ukraine is the first country to suffer aggression, but Russian drones already fly over Europethe operations extend beyond our borders and Putin seeks to expand them. No one will be able to feel safe“.
