Statement from the Ukrainian Parliament: Is Zelensky stepping down?

Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) Ruslan Stefanchuk announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to exercise his powers in accordance with Article 108 of the Constitution.

In a statement on his social media account, Stefanchuk responded to comments made by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the term of Ukrainian President Zelensky.

Drawing attention to the first paragraph of Article 108 of the Constitution of Ukraine, Stefanchuk stated, "(According to the Constitution) the President of Ukraine shall exercise his powers until the newly elected president takes office. In democratic societies, this is called the continuity of power."

Stefanchuk noted that, according to the constitution and other laws, Zelensky will remain as president.

Ukrainian President Zelensky's 5-year term was set to expire on May 20. Due to the martial law regime across the country caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, the presidential election was not held.

Russian President Putin had previously said regarding Ukrainian President Zelensky's term, "Technically, in my opinion, the only legitimate authority (in Ukraine) is the parliament and the speaker of the (Ukrainian Parliament) Rada."