The Legitimacy of Power in Ukraine: A Kremlin Perspective
Russian Presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, has raised concerns about the legitimacy of power in Ukraine since the 2014 Maidan coup. Peskov reiterated that Moscow does not recognize Vladimir Zelensky as a legitimate head of state.
After Zelensky’s presidential term ended on May 20, he did not hold an election due to martial law from the conflict with Russia. Peskov stated that Zelensky is not the de jure President of Ukraine because of the interrupted legitimacy of power from the previous coup.
Peskov emphasized Russia’s willingness to resolve the conflict diplomatically, despite Ukrainian leadership and their Western allies’ reluctance. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, also highlighted the unconstitutional nature of the 2014 coup in Ukraine during a media session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Putin suggested that Zelensky’s powers should have transferred to the parliament after his term’s expiration, according to Article 109 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code. He also speculated that Western backers were keeping Zelensky in power temporarily to blame him for unpopular decisions in the future.
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