Moscow questions Zelenskyy's legitimacy: Chairman of Ukrainian Parliament responds
Photo: Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
Russia continues to challenge the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, insisting that only Ukraine's parliament remains a legitimate authority, says Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine - Ukrainian Parliament in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
In particular, Stefanchuk commented on the statements of the Russian leadership, which has repeatedly stated that the only legitimate body in Ukraine is the Parliament, and that it is ready to negotiate with it.
"I clearly said: I'm actually glad they've finally started reading at least the Constitution of Ukraine. But they should read it carefully - if they can’t understand their own. It's explicitly stated that the President of Ukraine continues to exercise his powers until a newly elected President takes office," a Ukrainian politician said.
Stefanchuk emphasized that President Zelenskyy remains the constitutional guarantor and Ukraine's official representative in international affairs.
"Let them keep dreaming their little fantasies. The Ukrainian parliament is a constitutional body, but it exercises only the powers defined by the Constitution," the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine added.
Stefanchuk also expressed confidence that Ukraine's constitutional order will be preserved, despite ongoing attempts at external pressure and legal manipulation by Russia.
Question of legitimacy of Ukraine's President
Since May 20, 2024, when Zelenskyy's original five-year term ended, Russia has actively pushed narratives questioning his legitimacy - citing the lack of new presidential elections.
Moscow claims that without new elections, his powers have lost their force. This thesis is actively promoted by the terrorist country's propaganda and by Russia on the international stage.
However, Ukrainian law explicitly states that elections cannot be held during wartime, and the current president retains all constitutional powers until a new head of state is inaugurated.
Earlier, Maksym Musikhin, the Director of the Legal Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, claimed that the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine may not be a suitable signatory, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is allegedly illegitimate.
