'No One Wants Elections During War': Zelenskyy Says Russians Want To Remove Him From Power

Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 23:11 IST

Zelenskyy said Russia was pushing for quick presidential elections in Ukraine to remove him from power amid pressure from the US for territorial concessions in the four-year war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday alleged that Russia was pushing for Ukraine to hold quick presidential elections because they want to remove him from power, as the war is completing four years.

“Let’s be honest – the Russians just want to replace me," he said in an interview with AFP at the presidential palace, adding that “no one wants elections during a war. Everyone is afraid of its destructive effect." Zelenskyy also said he had not decided if he would stand in a future vote.

Ukraine’s presidential elections, which were supposed to be held in 2024, were suspended in line with martial law after Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russia has repeatedly used the suspension of the elections to question Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as leader.

Last year, Zelenskyy said he would step down as Ukraine’s president once the war was over. However, he recently suggested that any any election may have to take place during a fragile ceasefire, and that he may be a candidate in such a scenario. “It will depend on the people. We will see what they want," he told Axios on Tuesday.

He also noted that Russia has only agreed on a one-day ceasefire for Ukraine to organise and hold a national vote, rather than the 60 days Zelenskyy thinks are needed. He called this position absurd and a possible indication that Russia is not prepared for genuine peace.

Zelenskyy’s remarks came as Ukrainian and Russian officials met for another round of talks in Geneva, which ended without any breakthrough. The main sticking point is control of the Donbas, around 10% of which is still in Ukrainian hands.

‘Ukraine Not Losing War’: Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy asserted that the outcome of the war in Ukraine was still in balance. “You can’t say that we’re losing the war. Honestly, we’re definitely not losing it, definitely. The question is whether we will win. Yes, that is the question – but it’s a very costly question," he said.

He also told AFP that his army has recently liberated swathes of territory in southern Ukraine. Although it is unverified, this would be significant for Ukraine as it has been suffering manpower and resource shortages compared to Russian forces amid pressure to cede Donbas.

He said the United States and Russia were still exerting pressure on him to give up the embattled Donbas region to Moscow as part of a deal to end the four-year war. He also said Ukraine has received a lot of intelligence from the US, but not all of the information the army seeks.

Moscow has vowed it will capture the entire Donbas by force if Kyiv does not withdraw, with President Vladimir Putin showing no signs of compromise on his hardline demands to end his four-year invasion.

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