Zelenskyy says he's ready to resign after war with Russia ends

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is prepared to resign from the post of head of state after the war with Russia ends.

İn an interview with Axios, excerpts of which the outlet published today, he said that if the war ends he does not intend to run in future presidential elections. He promised to ask Ukraine"s parliament to organize elections if a ceasefire is achieved.

"If we finish the war with the Russians, yes, I am ready not to run [in the elections]. That was not my aim. I very much wanted, in this difficult period, to be with my country, to help my country. Yes - that is what I have always wanted. My goal is to end the war," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy added that Ukraine is using US-upplied long-range weapons as intended, stressing that Ukrainians "are not terrorists and are not targeting civilians."

At the same time, he acknowledged that anger toward Ukraine is understandable - Russia started the war and is responsible for civilian casualties.

"All our people understand that we must not attack civilians," he said, commenting on Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky also hinted at the possibility of strikes on Moscow, advising "Kremlin employees" to find the nearest bomb shelters. "First of all, they need to know where the bomb shelters are. If they do not stop the war, they will need them anyway," the Ukrainian president added.