DISINFO: Current Ukrainian leadership no longer represents the interests of the people
SUMMARY
It is important that legitimate representatives of Ukraine sit down at the negotiating table with Russia, since the current leadership in Kyiv no longer represents the interests of the Ukrainian people, and elections are endlessly postponed so that Zelenskyy cannot be replaced.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives targeting Ukraine’s leadership, aimed at undermining President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s continuity in power. Russia has always portrayed Zelenskyy as an obstacle to its aggressive goals in Ukraine, even since before the invasion. One of the targets of the invasion in February 2022 was the murder of Zelenskyy and the decapitation of the Ukrainian government to install a pro-Russian leadership.
Zelenskyy remains the legitimate president of Ukraine. Although Zelenskyy’s continuation in power after his initial mandate expired in May 2024 generated some domestic controversy, Ukraine’s constitution is straightforward: no elections can be held during wartime and the President of Ukraine exercises his powers until the assumption of office by the newly-elected President. The continuity of government institutions is one of the key principles of the constitution.
Additionally, Article 19 of the 2015 Ukrainian law "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law" directly prohibits the holding of presidential and several other types of elections during wartime.
Almost all observers consider regular elections unfeasible as there are millions of refugees abroad, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians serving on the frontlines and a significant part of the Ukrainian population lives under Russian occupation. There are also multiple funding and infrastructure problems that can hardly be addressed while the war is ongoing.
The ultimate goal of this disinformation story is to promote the idea that the negotiations to resolve the current crisis will take place sooner or later, but not with Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself. This pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aims to create an impression of strength ahead of any possible peace negotiations with Ukraine. See also our article Why is the Kremlin so hung up on smearing Zelenskyy?
There is no reason to suggest that Zelenskyy is intentionally prolonging the war for personal benefit, thus hindering the peace achievement. The Ukrainian president has repeatedly expressed willingness for peace negotiations, but on terms that respect international law and Ukraine's territorial integrity. Zelenskyy has consistently stated that Ukraine seeks to liberate all occupied territories, including Crimea and other occupied territories, and to secure a lasting peace. These objectives align with international law and Ukraine's constitutional duty to protect its borders. On Sunday 23 February, Zelenskyy, speaking at a press conference in Kyiv ahead of the third anniversary on Monday of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy says he would ‘quit for peace’.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Zelenskyy is an illegitimate leader and cannot sign a peace deal with Russia, that NATO is planning to get rid of Zelenskyy to preserve the rest of Ukraine, that Zelenskyy can’t sign a peace deal because he is not a legitimate president, that Ukraine's allies are getting ready to sacrifice Zelenskyy, that Zelenskyy is an illegitimate leader and cannot sign a peace deal with Russia, that Moscow and Kyiv negotiations will be illegitimate because Zelenskyy is illegitimate, that Russia will not negotiate with illegitimate puppet Zelenskyy, that The sponsors of the Kyiv regime must force Zelenskyy to lift the ban on negotiations, that Zelenskyy is the main obstacle to peace, or that Zelenskyy is illegitimate and therefore Russia is directly fighting the West.