Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday again questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he would only recognize the authority of the country’s parliament in Kiev.
Putain said that according to the Ukrainian constitution, martial law stipulates that only the powers of the Supreme Court are expanded, but not those of the president.
Ukrainian lawyers say the expansion of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s powers falls under different laws.
Ukraine’s Western allies, including Germany, also continue to recognize Zelensky as the country’s legitimate president.
Without the imposition of martial law, Zelensky’s first term would have ended on May 20. But due to the Kremlin’s large-scale invasion and the occupation of large parts of the country by Russian forces, Ukraine is not planning elections.
In recent weeks, Russian leaders have tried to cast doubt on Zelensky’s legitimacy by pointing to allegedly conflicting laws in Ukraine.
Putin, who delivered final remarks in Tashkent on Tuesday at the conclusion of his state visit to Uzbekistan, has focused on the issue in recent days.
During a recent visit to Beijing, he said expert advice was needed to clarify whether Zelensky was still legally in office. Then, during a trip to Belarus, he emphasized that the Ukrainian president was no longer legitimate.
Putin’s comments are seen as an attempt to undermine the Ukrainian leader’s credibility abroad, ahead of a peace summit in Switzerland on June 15 and 16.
Some of Zelensky’s Ukrainian opponents have also questioned the legitimacy of his remaining in power.
Zelensky has responded by accusing Putin of not being legitimately in power himself, after the Russian leader had the constitution rewritten three years ago to stay in power.
Kiev called on the West to no longer recognize Putin after Russia’s presidential election in March, which was overshadowed by allegations of rigging.
