Now it's finally over: Resolution for Selenskyj passed in Kyiv

Russia has repeatedly cast doubt on the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Zelensky. And the USA is also calling for new elections in Ukraine - despite the current martial law. The parliament in Kiev is now backing Zelensky for the second time.

After the failure the day before, the Ukrainian parliament passed a resolution in support of President Volodymyr Zelenskyj at the second attempt. This time, a clear majority of 268 MPs voted in favor of the draft. The day before, in a special session to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion in the presence of international guests, only 218 supporters were found. 226 are needed for a successful vote.

54 MPs registered in the session hall unexpectedly did not participate in the first vote, including 38 representatives of the presidential party "Servant of the People". They did not publicly disclose their motives afterwards. In the resolution adopted on the second attempt, the Verkhovna Rada states that neither the Ukrainian people nor parliament are calling Zelensky's mandate as president into question.

"The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was elected in free, transparent and democratic elections," says the document, the text of which was not changed after the failure on Monday. According to the constitution, Zelensky will remain in office until a newly elected president can take over, the resolution also states. Zelensky's regular term of office expired in May last year.

Due to martial law, which has been in force for three years, no elections can be scheduled. In Germany, a similar regulation applies in the event of a state of defense. Despite this, Russia, the enemy of the war, has cast doubt on Zelensky's legitimacy. The USA is also increasingly pushing for elections immediately after a discussed ceasefire.