On February 22, 2025, the Argentine publication Perfil featured an article titled The Zelenskyy Mandate: Democracy in Wartime, authored by TDC analyst Alina Rohach. The piece delves into the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership amid the ongoing war and dismantles Russian propaganda portraying him as a “dictator.”
Rohach underscores that democratic values remain central to Ukraine’s struggle for self-determination. Unlike Russia’s entrenched autocracy under Vladimir Putin, Ukraine has steadfastly upheld democratic principles. The claims regarding Zelenskyy’s illegitimacy, actively propagated by the Kremlin, serve as a political weapon rather than an objective reality.
According to the Ukrainian Constitution, during martial law, the presidential mandate extends to prevent a power vacuum, ensuring stability in wartime. Ukrainian law explicitly prohibits elections under martial law, and new elections can only be organized once it is lifted. Given the ongoing military threats and the occupation of over 20% of Ukraine’s territory, conducting elections is legally and logistically impossible. Moreover, ensuring voter safety, particularly in frontline regions, remains a pressing concern.
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