Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin cast doubt on the political legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, highlighting the absence of plans for a presidential election in Ukraine at present.
The imposition of martial law following Putin’s deployment of tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022 means Zelensky will not face an election when his term technically expires later this month—a decision deemed appropriate by him and Ukraine’s allies in the midst of war.
During a news conference in China as part of a state visit, Putin responded to inquiries regarding whether Zelensky’s political legitimacy was becoming a concern. Putin, who secured re-election for a six-year term in March, stated that the matter rested with Ukraine’s constitutional court and political system.
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However, he emphasized the significance of the issue to Russia, asserting that any future agreements signed with Ukraine regarding the war must involve the appropriate authorities. “If it comes to signing documents, we should sign those documents in such a crucial area with the legitimate authorities,” Putin remarked.
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The legitimacy of Putin’s own re-election has been questioned by Washington, which has criticized it as neither free nor fair—a critique that Moscow has dismissed.
