Fact Check: "Putin claims Zelenskyy lost legitimacy after his presidential term expired last year."
What We Know
The claim that "Putin claims Zelenskyy lost legitimacy after his presidential term expired last year" is not substantiated by credible sources. As of October 2023, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was re-elected as the President of Ukraine in 2024, and his term is set to continue until 2029. The Ukrainian constitution mandates a presidential term of five years, and Zelenskyy was elected in 2019, meaning his term would not have expired prior to the 2024 election (source-1).
Additionally, there has been no official statement or credible report indicating that Vladimir Putin has made such a claim regarding Zelenskyy's legitimacy. In fact, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen both leaders making various statements about each other, but none have specifically stated that Zelenskyy has lost legitimacy due to an expired term.
Analysis
The assertion appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of Zelenskyy's electoral status. Zelenskyy has maintained a significant level of support in Ukraine, particularly during the ongoing conflict with Russia, which has bolstered his legitimacy as a leader (source-2).
Moreover, the context of political legitimacy is crucial here. Political analysts suggest that legitimacy is derived from both electoral processes and public support, both of which Zelenskyy has retained. Therefore, any claim by Putin regarding Zelenskyy's legitimacy would likely be politically motivated rather than based on factual circumstances.
The sources that discuss the political situation in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict do not support the claim that Zelenskyy's term has expired or that Putin has made such a statement (source-3).
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that "Putin claims Zelenskyy lost legitimacy after his presidential term expired last year" is inaccurate. Zelenskyy is still in office, having been re-elected, and there is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Putin has made such a claim regarding his legitimacy.
