Russian President Vladimir Putin Photo: Alexander Demyanchuk/TASS
The Kremlin is trying to delegitimise the Ukrainian government and obtain maximum concessions from Ukraine by manipulating the facts about Ukrainian legislation. This was stated by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) following recent statements by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
On 16 December, Putin voiced a false claim that the Constitution of Ukraine does not allow the president to continue his powers under martial law. According to him, the Ukrainian authorities are acting “illegitimately”, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy is allegedly in office in violation of the law.
Manipulation of facts
ISW stressed that Ukrainian legislation clearly regulates electoral processes during martial law. In particular:
- With the war ongoing since February 2022, it is impossible to hold presidential, parliamentary or local elections.
- The decision to suspend the 2024 elections is legal and complies with the Constitution of Ukraine.
Analysts explain that Putin’s statement is part of a broader Kremlin strategy:
- Distort Ukrainian laws and raise doubts about the legitimacy of the current government.
- To weaken international support for Ukraine, especially among Western countries that continue to provide military, financial and political assistance to Kyiv.
- Demand a change of government in Ukraine as a condition for “peace talks”.
Negotiations as a tool of pressure
According to ISW analysts, the Kremlin is not interested in honest negotiations and uses them as a tool to achieve maximum concessions from Ukraine. Putin has renewed the rhetoric about the “illegitimacy” of the Ukrainian government, which has not been heard since the summer of 2024, to increase political pressure on Kyiv and the West.
“The Kremlin does not seek peace, but a weakened Ukraine, including by delegitimising its legitimate government,” the ISW report says.
Thus, Putin’s statements about the “unconstitutionality” of Zelenskyy’s government are yet another information operation aimed at undermining the credibility of the Ukrainian leadership both domestically and internationally.
