Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview published on Thursday that he would be ready to step down after the conflict with Russia is over.

"If we finish the war with the Russians, yes, I am ready not to go (for elections) because it's not my goal, elections," Zelenskyy told the Axios website in a video interview.

"I wanted very much, in a very difficult period of time, to be with my country, help my country. My goal is to finish the war."

Zelenskyy said he would ask Ukraine's parliament to organize elections if a ceasefire is reached.

A presidential election due in 2024 was suspended under martial law, introduced in Ukraine after Russia's military operation began in February 2022. Zelenskyy was elected in 2019.

Russia has repeatedly questioned Zelenskyy's legitimacy as a leader as a result.

Zelenskyy was in the United States this week, where he participated in the UN General Assembly and met U.S. President Donald Trump. He said Kyiv is seeking new long-range weapons from the United States.

He told Axios that if Moscow refuses to end the conflict, Russian officials working in the Kremlin should know where the nearest bomb shelter is.

(With input from Reuters)