US Not Changing Zelensky's Status Despite Term Expiration, Lack of Election, State Dept. Says
09:15 02.06.2024 (Updated: 09:22 02.06.2024)
© Sputnik . Stringer
/ Subscribe
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Presidential elections in Ukraine in 2024 were scheduled to be held in March. However, the vote was called off due to martial law and general mobilization in the country.
The United States has not changed its position on the status of Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky despite the expiration of his term and the lack of elections in Ukraine, the US State Department told Sputnik.
"We refer you to [State Department] Spokesperson [Matthew] Miller's comments during the March 25 Department Press Briefing," the department said in response to a question about the US position on Zelensky's status, given that his presidential term expired last month and new elections have not yet been scheduled in Ukraine.
Miller, commenting on the impending end of Zelensky's presidential term, said that the US finds it difficult for Ukraine to hold elections amid the conflict and the issue should be decided by the people of the country.
Ukraine was due to hold a presidential election on March 31, but it was called off due to the ongoing martial law. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "according to preliminary statements, the only legitimate authorities in Ukraine are the parliament and [its] speaker."
Ukraine's constitution prohibits elections under martial law. Ukrainian Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska said in May that Zelensky's powers last until the next head of state is elected. According to Ukrainian law, a date for the presidential election should be determined within one month after martial law is lifted. Putin said that Ukraine's political and legal systems themselves should answer the question of Zelensky's legitimacy after his term expires.
