Oleksandr Usyk eyes Ukraine's presidency after boxing career ends
Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has announced plans to enter politics after his fighting career. The two-division world champion revealed ambitions to run for the country's highest office in the future. His decision comes as Ukraine faces ongoing conflict and political uncertainty.
Usyk, currently 37, intends to continue boxing for another two years before transitioning into public service. His long-term goal is to become President of the USA, though no election date has been set.
The original presidential vote, due in spring 2024, was postponed indefinitely after Russia's full-scale invasion began on 24 February 2022. Martial law and wartime conditions have since prevented any election from taking place.
As of February 2026, the war remains deadlocked, with Russia gaining minimal territory despite its military advantage. Ukrainian forces have carried out targeted strikes, including a February 2026 missile attack on a Russian factory 1,300 km away. Meanwhile, stalled negotiations in Geneva and reduced US aid under Trump have left Europe to fill the funding gap.
With 9.4 million Ukrainians displaced and infrastructure under constant attack, the country's political focus remains on survival rather than elections. Trump's unfulfilled pledge to end the war quickly has added to the instability, making any vote unlikely in the near term.
Usyk's potential political career will depend on Ukraine's ability to hold elections once the conflict stabilises. For now, his focus remains on boxing, with a clear timeline for his transition into public life. The country's leadership, however, continues to operate under wartime conditions with no immediate end in sight.
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