Ukrainian parliament reaffirms Zelenskyy’s legitimacy amid war

Tuesday 25 February 2025 - 17:30

Ukraine’s parliament has passed a resolution that confirms President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, supporting the constitutional right to delay presidential elections while the country is under martial law. The vote, which took place on Tuesday, saw 268 members in favor, with 12 absent. The resolution, crafted by the parliamentary leadership, serves as a public declaration of support for Zelenskyy, whose term officially ended in May.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently criticized Zelenskyy, labeling him a "dictator" due to the absence of elections. These claims have also been echoed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, according to Ukrainian law, elections are prohibited as long as martial law is in place, a measure introduced after Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

The resolution emphasized that Zelenskyy was elected through free and fair elections, affirming his mandate. Additionally, it referenced Article 108 of the Ukrainian Constitution, which ensures the president remains in office until the election of a new leader. Trump also alleged that Zelenskyy’s approval rating was as low as 4 percent, citing Russian media reports. Contrarily, a recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showed Zelenskyy holding a 57 percent approval rating, even with a slight decline from the 90 percent approval he enjoyed shortly after the invasion.

The resolution’s passage marks a reversal from the previous day, where it failed to meet the required votes by just eight. Despite these challenges, Zelenskyy continues to gain support in parliament, allowing him to move forward with critical legislation. Without sufficient parliamentary backing, essential international agreements, such as a potential peace deal with Russia or a trade agreement with the U.S., would be unable to be ratified.