{UAH} UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT REJECTS RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ZELENSKY

Ukrainian parliament rejects resolution supporting Zelensky

Story by DPA International

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends the 'Support Ukraine' summit to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion. -/Ukrainian Presidency/dpa© DPA International

A resolution reaffirming the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky failed to secure enough backing to pass in the Ukrainian parliament on Monday.

At a special session of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, convened to mark the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, the resolution received 218 votes, falling short of the 226 votes needed to pass.

Some 54 members of parliament present in the meeting room did not take part in the vote, including 38 representatives from Zelensky's Servant of the People party.

The resolution was designed by the parliamentary leadership as a symbolic show of support for Zelensky, whose legitimacy has come under fire by Russia and, more recently, the United States.

The paper stated: "The Verkhovna Rada once again recalls that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was elected in free, transparent, democratic elections. His mandate is not called into question by the Ukrainian people or the Verkhovna Rada."

The document also referred to Article 108 of the Ukrainian constitution, according to which the incumbent head of state remains in office until the next elected president takes office.

Zelensky's regular term in office ended in May, however no elections can be scheduled due to the ongoing martial law in place in the country.

US President Donald Trump last week accused Zelensky of being a "dictator" since he had not held elections in recent years, echoing claims previously made by Russia.

Zelensky has so far been able to rely on shifting majorities in parliament to pass legislation, as enough members of parliament from his own party are not always present.

Without parliamentary support, international agreements such as a prospective peace treaty with Russia or a proposed raw materials agreement with the US cannot be ratified and come into force.

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