President Volodymyr Zelensky told AFP on Friday that Russia was pushing for Ukraine to hold quick presidential elections because Moscow wants to remove him from power.
"Let's be honest -- the Russians just want to replace me," Zelensky said in an interview at the presidential palace, adding that: "no one wants elections during a war. Everyone is afraid of its destructive effect."
The Ukrainian leader also said he had not decided if he would stand in a future vote.
