Zelensky says he wants to run for president again

The Ukrainian leader, whose term expired two years ago, wants to run again despite promising that he would only serve one term Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has said he wants to run for president again if an election is held before the conflict with Russia ends.

His five-year term expired two years ago, prompting Moscow to question his legitimacy, while US President Donald Trump has called for him to be replaced.

Zelensky has refused to call a new election since his term expired in May 2024, citing martial law, which was imposed after the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022.

During his 2019 election campaign, he promised to only serve one term.

Speaking to NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday, Zelensky said he would seek another term if an election is held while the fighting continues.

“If it will be during the war – of course.

It’s my responsibility, because I have to defend my country from the very beginning to end of this war,” he stated.

Read more Zelensky knows peace deal would end his regime – Lavrov (VIDEO) Zelensky once again demanded a ceasefire of at least 60 days to prepare for the election, claiming that the country needs time to amend its laws and put election infrastructure in place.

Moscow has rejected the demand.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Kiev could use an election as a pretext to secure a 60-day ceasefire to “regroup,” recover its military losses, and resume the fighting.

He added, however, that Russia is prepared to suspend strikes on election day.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that Zelensky’s presidential powers should have passed to the parliament after his mandate expired, and questioned whether he can sign binding peace agreements.

He called Zelensky’s refusal to hold elections a “strategic mistake.” Zelensky’s ambitions also face opposition at home.

A survey in September by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology found that 53% of respondents believe he should only serve one presidential term, up from 46% in December 2025.