New twist in Russia-Ukraine war, Zelenskyy says ready to quit office when…

Russia-Ukraine war: In a major twist in the Russia-Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready to quit office once the war ends, asserting that his goal is to end the conflict with Moscow, not to cling to power once peace returns to his country.

Why Zelenskyy offered to quit?

In an interview with Axios, Volodymyr Zelensky said he would step down as the President of Ukraine when the war with Russia is over, adding that he will continue to make all efforts to establish peace. According to Zelenskyy, ending the Russia-Ukraine would be politically decisive step which will ensure the freedom of Ukrainians and determine their future.

The Ukrainian President stated that ending the Russia-Ukraine war is his only priority, and announced that he will not contest the next presidential election to focus his entire attention to resolve the conflict. “My goal is to end the war, not to continue running for office,” Zelenskyy told Axios.

What Zelenskyy said at UNGA meet?

Zelenskyy’s comments came a day after he made a sharp appeal to the UN for action at the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) ongoing 80th annual session in New York. In his closing remarks on Wednesday, Zelenskyy noted that many nations in the hall are “at war or just came out of war, or are trying to stop one or openly getting ready for one war” and it rests with those before him to decide whether Russia’s aggression in Ukraine will be brought to an end.

“Yesterday, we had a good meeting with President Trump, and I also spoke with many other strong leaders, and together, we can change a lot…. I appreciate the support we are receiving,” he said, adding that while the G7 and G20 play important roles, the responsibility ultimately lies with the entire UN membership.

“Yes, much depends on the G7 and G20 but, but in the end, this depends on all of us, on the United Nations. So don’t stay silent while Russia keeps dragging this war on. Please speak out and condemn it. Please join us in defending life and international law and order. People are waiting for action,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been in office since 2019 when he won the Ukrainian presidential election, however, Moscow has often questioned his legitimacy, and dismissed him as an “illegitimate” leader. Russia claims Zelenskyy is a “pawn” of the US-led West, and was “installed” as president to destabilize Moscow. Earlier this year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Kremlin would not accept Zelenskyy’s signature on any potential peace deal.