Let me explain why.

1. Article 103 of the Constitution of Ukraine clearly states that the president is elected for a term of five years. • Zelensky assumed office on May 20, 2019. • His term ended on May 20, 2024.

2. The presidential elections did not take place due to martial law, as stipulated by the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law.” • However, the Constitution does not provide for the automatic extension of presidential powers if elections cannot be held.

3. Article 112 of the Constitution of Ukraine states that in the event of the termination of presidential powers, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada assumes the functions of the president.

• This means that, according to the Constitution, Zelenskyy should have transferred power to the Speaker of Parliament after May 20, 2024.

• But this did not happen, and the constitutional mechanism was simply ignored.

Legal Conclusion:

• Zelensky has no constitutional right to remain president after May 20, 2024.

• His legitimacy is not based on the Constitution but on martial law and his de facto control over the state.

• To be clear: de jure, Zelenskyy is NOT the president, but de facto, he retains power due to the absence of elections and martial law.

• He maintains control through intimidation of the opposition, threats, arrests, kidnappings, business takeovers, and massive propaganda.

• Anyone who states this publicly while in Ukraine risks repression. It is enough to ask Zelenskyy directly: • Why don’t you voluntarily step down from office?

• Why don’t you allow the Speaker of Parliament to assume the role of acting president? Moreover, Zelensky could have lifted martial law in 95% of Ukraine’s regions where there are no active hostilities, keeping it only in combat zones, and held elections. But he refused to do so—because martial law allows him to control the opposition.

Imagine – Zelenskyy even decides which opposition MPs can travel abroad for official meetings and who is banned from leaving. For example, he recently prohibited Petro Poroshenko from traveling abroad. Doesn’t this resemble a totalitarian state? A criminal case was opened against MP Oleksandr Dubinsky, and he was also arrested for leaving the territory of the European Union without Zelensky’s permission – this sounds like a story from the 16th century! In the future, if Zelenskyy signs a peace agreement, it could be challenged since the Constitutional Court has not ruled on the legitimacy of his stay in power.

That is why elections are urgently needed. Zelensky, understanding this, will delay the peace process to prolong the war.

On June 3, 2024, it was reported:

“The Office of the President of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky himself will not appeal to the Constitutional Court to confirm his legitimacy in office. This was revealed in an interview with Babel by Iryna Mudra, former Deputy Minister of Justice and now Deputy Head of the President’s Office for Legal Affairs.” In other words, Zelensky is afraid to seek clarification from the Constitutional Court because it would issue an unfavorable ruling – confirming that he is an illegitimate president deceiving the entire world.

By canceling elections and waging war against his own people, Zelensky’s government has long lost its internal legitimacy. Neither legally nor factually can Zelensky represent Ukraine or express the opinion and position of its people anymore.

I will continue publishing facts about Zelensky’s crimes and corruption, which I have gathered over the past six years of his rule. Subscribe and retweet so the world can see.

Sincerely, Ukrainian oppositionist, Myroslav Oleshko