DISINFO: The Ukrainian people have not confirmed the legitimacy of Zelenskyy
SUMMARY
The West's recognition of the legitimacy of Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly depends on the situation on the battlefield. The situation in Ukraine will worsen because Zelenskyy has not received legitimacy from the Ukrainian people to extend his powers.
RESPONSE
This is a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, aiming to undermine the leadership of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Also the claim is part of an ongoing pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign concerning Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The majority of Ukrainians oppose presidential elections during martial law due to security concerns. In February 2024, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology published the results of a study according to which the vast majority of Ukrainians, i.e. 69%, believe that Volodymyr Zelenskyy should remain in the post of president until the end of martial law.
Leaders of democratic countries also had no doubts about the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy even after May 20, 2024 - the day of his inauguration 5 years ago. Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano also voiced their recognition of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's legitimacy.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains president of the country, as confirmed by the Constitution of Ukraine until a new elected president has taken office. In wartime conditions, it is prohibited to hold any elections of government bodies in Ukraine. Article 83 in Section IV of the Constitution of Ukraine clearly states the ban on holding elections to the legislative bodies of Ukraine, and Article 157 in Section XIII states that “The Constitution of Ukraine cannot be amended under martial law or a state of emergency.”
The Constitution-based Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law” also expressly prohibits the holding of any elections, votes and referendums in the country during war. According to Article 19 of the Law, during martial law in Ukraine the following is prohibited: changing the Constitution of Ukraine; amendment of the Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea; holding elections of the President of Ukraine, as well as elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and local government bodies; holding all-Ukrainian and local referendums.
In addition to legislation in Ukraine, there are a number of factors that, during the war with Russia, limit the possibility of holding elections. These are the voting infrastructure destroyed by Russia, the impossibility of holding elections in temporarily occupied territories, organising voting for military personnel at the front, organising voting for millions of Ukrainians evacuated abroad, the impossibility of ensuring security in the event of a missile or any other Russian attack on voting day, and more.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Zelenskyy aims to continue the war to avoid elections in Ukraine, that Zelenskyy will sacrifice his people to save himself, or that Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington shows that Ukraine will be a neo-colony of the US.