Volodymyr Zelensky's illegitimacy: fact or myth?

In May 2024, five years passed since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took office, a time that would usually call for a presidential election. With Ukraine under martial law because of Russia's full-scale war, his term has been extended. This has sparked renewed debate, especially in late August, as changes in the government, the upcoming US elections, and Russia's intensified efforts to disrupt Ukraine's mobilization added fuel to the fire.

What's the problem?

Where did it all begin?

The first wave of speculation about Zelensky's legitimacy emerged in late May, and it wasn't long before pro-Russian propagandists seized the opportunity. In June, Yuriy Podolyaka, a pro-Russian blogger who moved to Russia from his home country of Ukraine in 2014, voiced his opinion in an interview. He claimed, "[Ukraine's] task is to convince other countries that it has a legitimate president they can deal with. Zelensky's illegitimacy is in our favor. It gives most of the Ukrainian population an excuse not to listen to him or follow his orders, especially with the country under full mobilization."

Other propagandists echoed Podolyaka's narrative. Vyacheslav Volodin, the Russian parliament's speaker, stated on his Telegram channel: "Zelensky has seized power illegally, violating the Constitution. As a result, he has no right to order mobilization or send people to war." He urged Ukrainians to stop tolerating Zelensky, calling him a "puppet dictator" holding the nation hostage.

Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: Getty Images

These manipulations tend to resonate with those already dissatisfied with the government or critical of Zelensky. As we've previously reported, Russian propaganda aims to erode trust in Ukraine's president, hoping to pressure Western nations into halting financial and military support for Ukraine.

How are pro-Russian Western propagandists fueling the fire?

Western propagandists spreading the pro-Russian narrative have played a significant role, especially with the US elections on the horizon. As Trump and Harris prepare to face off in the presidential run, Trump supporters are working hard to discredit the Democrats, particularly Kamala Harris. One of the critical issues on the table is the Russia-Ukraine war.

Debate between Trump and Harris. Photo: Getty Images

Russian propaganda plays into this narrative through pro-Russian politicians and commentators saying Ukraine should surrender, accusing Zelensky of begging for American aid while misusing US taxpayer dollars and portraying Putin as a leader who could teach the US president how to care for his people. These claims are intended to undermine trust in both Ukraine and the US government, weakening public support for both.

Former Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor, who served as a senior adviser to Trump during his presidency, has also spread similar disinformation. When asked in an interview whether Zelensky was blocking elections to keep power, Macgregor responded that few rights remain in Ukraine.

"He's already banned the Orthodox Christian Church. Who has any rights left? I'm not sure there are many rights he hasn't trampled on," Macgregor said.

He also claims that "Zelensky's regime will collapse after the Ukrainian Armed Forces attack Russia's Kursk region, and Russia is in the final stages of resolving the conflict." Russian propaganda has been quick to spread these words, aiming to create the impression that the democratic world supports Russia.

What's the solution?

What's the real story?

For many of these figures, the Russia-Ukraine war is simply an opportunity to put their government down and build a larger audience. Macgregor, in particular, has a long history with Russia. In 2014, he supported the illegal annexation of Crimea, Ukraine's sovereign territory, and called for the annexation of Donbas, claiming that Russians primarily populated eastern regions of Ukraine.

Since 2022, he has frequently commented on the war on Fox News, consistently backing Russia's actions. "The battle in eastern Ukraine is really almost over; all of the Ukrainian troops there have been largely surrounded and cut off… and if they don't surrender in the next 24 hours, I suspect Russia will ultimately annihilate them," Macgregor claimed in March 2022.

Macgregor hasn't stopped sharing his views despite his failed predictions, even though he clearly doesn't understand the topics he comments on.

Can elections happen in Ukraine during wartime?

The Ukrainian Constitution explicitly prohibits holding parliamentary elections during martial law and extends the current parliament's term until a new one is elected after the war. Trying to hold elections under the current circumstances could also be dangerous due to security risks.

In 2023, more than 200 Ukrainian civil society organizations issued a statement opposing elections during the war. They cited several vital concerns:

The risk of Russia disrupting the democratic process through disinformation,
The difficulty of ensuring voting rights for soldiers on the front lines and for Ukrainians living abroad or in Russian-occupied territories,
The physical danger to voters due to the possibility of Russian attacks,
The potential for elections to undermine national unity during such a critical time.

On top of that, the election process would require additional funding, which Ukraine currently lacks as it goes toward the country's defense. Western partners would provide more financial support.

Even without elections, Zelensky remains the legitimate president. According to the Constitution, the sitting president retains all powers until a new one is elected. This means Zelensky continues to act as the guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty.

European partners have affirmed their support for Zelensky's legitimacy. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, in a press conference with former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, pointed out that Germany's Constitution also allows for elections to be held only six months after a war ends.

In contrast, there's one president whose legitimacy is genuinely in question: Russian President Vladimir Putin. In March 2024, the European Parliament passed a resolution declaring that Putin's upcoming election would be illegitimate, mainly because it would include votes from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

The claims that Zelensky is preventing elections in Ukraine are baseless. The only real barrier to free and democratic elections is Russia's ongoing aggression.

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