A resolution reaffirming the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky failed to secure sufficient support for its approval by the Ukrainian parliament on Monday.
At a special pre-agenda meeting of the Ukrainian national delegation, or Verkhovna Rada, on the third anniversary of the invasion of Russia's army, the text was voted on by 218 members of the body, 8 votes short of the 226 required for adoption.
Some 54 members of the Ukrainian parliament present in the chamber abstained from voting - among them 38 elected with the party of the president, called the Servant of the People.
The resolution was tabled by the parliament's leadership as a symbolic gesture to the head of state, whose legitimacy was recently questioned by US President Donald Trump, who appeared to endorse Russia's positions on the issue.
The text stated that Verkhovna Rada «reminds once again that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was elected in free, transparent, democratic elections» and «his mandate is not contested by the Ukrainian people», nor by the parliament. He also referred to Article 108 of the Ukrainian Constitution, according to which the head of state continues to perform his duties until an elected successor takes office.
Mr Zelensky's term of office formally ended in May, but no elections were held in Ukraine amid war and martial law.
Donald Trump last week called Volodymyr Zelensky a «dictator» because no elections were held in the country.
So far, the Ukrainian president has managed, on the basis of changing majorities, to pass laws, as often not enough members of his party or politicians loyal to him are present in the Ukrainian parliament.
Without the support of parliament, possible international agreements, such as a possible peace treaty with Russia, or a possible contract with US companies or the US government for Ukrainian raw materials, especially the rare earths coveted by the occupant of the White House, cannot be ratified or enter into force.
