The 268 lawmakers who attended Tuesday voted unanimously to support the Ukrainian president.
The Ukrainian Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a resolution in favour of President Volodymie Zelensky’s tenure, and argued for the constitutionality of the country’s postponement of presidential elections during the war.
The 268 lawmakers who attended Tuesday voted unanimously to approve the resolution, but there were no other 12 lawmakers during the session.
The resolution was designed by Congressional leaders as an iconic show of support for Zelensky.
Last week, US President Donald Trump accused Zelensky of being a “dictator” because he has not held elections in recent years, reflecting claims made by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, under Ukrainian law, elections cannot be held as long as martial law continues nationwide. Martial law was declared following the Russian invasion in February 2022.
“Verkhovna Rada recalls once again that the President of Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected in a free, transparent democratic election. His mission has not been questioned by the people of Ukrainians or Verkhovna Rada.” I’ve read the resolution.
The document also mentioned Article 108 of the Ukrainian Constitution. According to this, the incumbent head of state will remain in power until the next elected president takes office.
The Ukrainian Parliament will vote unanimously to affirm President Zelensky’s legitimacy and the constitutionally mandated requirements to prevent the election of martial law.
268 Yes
0 No
12Not available pic.twitter.com/whumh3xlx7– Spravdi – February 25, 2025, Stratcom Center (@Stratcentre)
Trump also repeated reports from Russian media, claiming that Ukrainian leaders only had a 4% “recognition rating” in the vote.
However, according to a survey conducted by the Kyiv Institute of International Sociology this month, Zelenskyy has a 57% approval rate.
Even if this decreases from the 90% peak shortly after the Russian invasion, this is a sign that Zelensky “maintains his legitimacy,” the institute said.
Tuesday’s vote in the Ukrainian Parliament was a reversal a day ago. Meanwhile, the resolution won 218 votes, lowering the shy eight votes to the 226 threshold required for passing.
So far, Zelenskyy has been able to resort to passing laws to change the majority of Congress.
Without Congress’ support, international agreements such as the future peace treaty with Russia and the proposed raw materials agreement with the United States will not be ratified and put into effect.
