Ukraine’s parliament has passed a resolution declaring that the country will hold presidential elections only after “a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace” is secured.
The resolution, adopted on Tuesday, comes after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Kyiv last week for not holding wartime elections and labeled Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator.”
Trump’s remarks intensified a growing spat between Kyiv and Washington, especially as they appear to echo Kremlin propaganda aimed at undermining Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as president.
Russia has long claimed that Zelenskyy lacks a mandate to govern since his first term was set to expire on May 20, 2024.
Elections were earmarked for spring 2024, but they were postponed after martial law was imposed in light of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
The country’s constitution prohibits elections during martial law.
The resolution, titled “Support for Democracy in Ukraine in the Face of Russian Aggression,” was backed by 268 members of parliament on Tuesday. There were 12 abstentions.
It was initially set to be passed on Monday, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it did not receive enough votes in the parliament at that time.
Trump’s remarks intensified a growing spat between Kyiv and Washington, especially as they appear to echo Kremlin propaganda aimed at undermining Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as president.
Russia has long claimed that Zelenskyy lacks a mandate to govern since his first term was set to expire on May 20, 2024.
Elections were earmarked for spring 2024, but they were postponed after martial law was imposed in light of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
The country’s constitution prohibits elections during martial law.
The resolution, titled “Support for Democracy in Ukraine in the Face of Russian Aggression,” was backed by 268 members of parliament on Tuesday. There were 12 abstentions.
It was initially set to be passed on Monday, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it did not receive enough votes in the parliament at that time.
‘Need for continuity of leadership’
The resolution states: “Martial law in Ukraine, introduced in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion, does not allow for elections by Ukraine’s Constitution of Ukraine.
“At the same time, the Ukrainian people are united in the opinion that such elections should be held after the war’s end.”
It added: “Ukraine, as a democratic country, as soon as a comprehensive, just and lasting peace is ensured on its territory, by decision of the parliament... will announce the holding of presidential elections in Ukraine and ensure their holding in accordance with all international electoral standards.”
The resolution stresses the “need for continuity of leadership” during wartime while holding Russian President Vladimir Putin solely responsible for making it impossible to hold “free, transparent, and democratic elections” in Ukraine.
It also emphasizes that President Zelenskyy was elected in legitimate elections, and that his mandate is not questioned by the Ukrainian people or the country’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.
Earlier, Trump had claimed, without providing any evidence, that Zelenskyy has a mere “4% approval rating.”
A recent survey conducted by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, showed that 63% of Ukrainians approve of Zelenskyy’s wartime leadership.
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