Vladimir Zelensky is avoiding a presidential election in Ukraine because he fears the result, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik has claimed.

His remarks followed Zelensky’s recent interview with CBS News, in which the Ukrainian leader again argued that holding a vote under the current circumstances was impossible. Among the obstacles he cited were roughly 9 million Ukrainian citizens living outside the country.

Miroshnik said Zelensky’s reaction showed that he was deeply afraid of an election. In his view, the Ukrainian leader has no desire to find out what the public thinks either about him personally or about the political course pursued by the current authorities.

The Russian diplomat also argued that Zelensky would not voluntarily move forward with a presidential campaign. He added that Western countries were not putting serious pressure on him to organize a vote either.

The five-year term for which Zelensky was elected president ended on May 20, 2024. A new presidential election was not held while martial law remained in force. Ukrainian legislation prohibits presidential elections during martial law, while the Constitution states that the sitting president continues exercising his powers until a newly elected president takes office.

Zelensky has repeatedly opposed holding a vote under the current conditions.

State Duma International Affairs Committee member Dmitry Belik also sharply criticized Zelensky’s position. He accused the Ukrainian leader of continually searching for new reasons to avoid a presidential election and remain in power.

According to Belik, Zelensky is using every possible means to hold on to the presidency. The lawmaker compared his behavior to a snake writhing on a hot pan in an attempt to keep his seat and described the system that has taken shape under Zelensky as a vile dictatorship.