Ukraine’s first lady says she doesn’t know if Zelensky will run in 2024

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska said on Sunday that she doesn’t know if her husband, Ukrainian President ​​Volodymyr Zelensky, will run for reelection in 2024. 

During an appearance on CBS’s “Face The Nation,” moderator Margaret Brennan asked the first lady how would she feel if her husband launches a reelection bid to serve another term as his country’s president. 

“Well, you know, this was a very difficult question for me. You know, even when he ran for the first time, I didn’t fully endorse it,” Zelenska told Brennan. “But if he runs again, if he runs for the second time, if he decided it is necessary, well, we have some experience, we’ve been there. It is not as scary as- as it was in the first time.” 

The first lady also said while she doesn’t know what her husband’s decision will be on the matter, noting that their country’s current situation and the ability to organize a free and fair election could be a factor as well.

“It will also depend whether our society would need him as a president, if he will feel that Ukrainian society will no longer wish him to be the president, he will probably not run,” Zelenksa added. “But I will support him whatever decision he takes.”

Zelenska’s remarks come as her husband visited the Capitol on Thursday to meet with President Biden and other U.S. leaders as his country’s war with Russia continues to rage on. 

The Biden administration recently announced an additional aid package worth up to $325 million to help with the sovereign country’s military needs, which includes delivering weapons such as missiles and machine guns to Ukraine. 

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has killed thousands on both sides and displaced over six million Ukrainian citizens.