By John Q. Hosedrinker 
European Commission chief spokeswoman Paula Pinho affirmed Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Ukraine’s democratically elected president, contrasting this with apparent difficulties in recognition by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pinho highlighted the EU’s collaboration with Zelenskyy and its support for his efforts to end the war and achieve peace. This stance follows Putin’s repeated assertions questioning Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, a position viewed as posturing by some. While the Kremlin has reportedly received details of a peace plan, and a meeting between the Ukrainian and US negotiating teams is anticipated, potential negotiations involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy are also being explored.
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EU to Putin: Zelenskyy is democratically elected is a simple, powerful message, and it’s essential to understand why it matters so much. When you cut through the noise, the core of the issue is this: Vladimir Putin and his regime are peddling the lie that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the current president of Ukraine, is not legitimately in power. Their goal? To undermine international support for Ukraine, sow doubt, and justify their ongoing aggression. It’s a tactic straight out of the playbook of dictators and authoritarians.
Let’s be clear: Zelenskyy was, without a shadow of a doubt, democratically elected. He won the 2019 presidential election with a resounding 73% of the vote. That’s a landslide victory by any standard, and it leaves no room for credible doubt about the will of the Ukrainian people. Putin’s claim that Zelenskyy is somehow avoiding elections to cling to power is laughable, especially considering Putin’s own history of manipulating elections and changing the Russian constitution to extend his rule indefinitely.
The EU’s insistence on this point – that Zelenskyy is democratically elected – is not just about defending Ukraine; it’s about defending the principles of democracy itself. It’s about upholding the rule of law, recognizing the sovereignty of a nation, and calling out blatant disinformation. And it’s not about changing Putin’s mind, because that is impossible; he is never going to listen. Rather, it’s about providing a clear counter-narrative, exposing Putin’s hypocrisy, and signaling that the world will not tolerate his lies.
Of course, the situation is complex. While Zelenskyy was democratically elected, his term has technically already expired according to the Ukrainian constitution, given that elections can’t be held during martial law. However, his mandate continues until a successor can be elected when the war ends, and Ukraine’s constitution allows this. The chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, would take over in this case, a fact Putin attempts to exploit. It’s important to acknowledge these nuances, but the bottom line is that the Ukrainian people, through their duly elected leader, still have a legitimate right to self-determination.
The contrast between the EU’s stance and Putin’s actions is stark. The EU stands for free and fair elections, the right to choose your leaders, and the importance of holding those leaders accountable. Putin, on the other hand, operates within a system of rigged elections, suppressed dissent, and an iron grip on power. His claims of concern for democracy ring hollow when you consider the history of oppression and manipulation within Russia. It is so easy for him to throw out these lies, but the more he does so, the more transparent they become.
The unfortunate reality is that Putin’s propaganda machine is effective, as is any propaganda when repeated often enough. It has already managed to seep into certain corners of Western society, where his narratives find a receptive audience. That’s why the EU’s message is so crucial: It needs to be consistently and forcefully communicated, both within Europe and to the world at large. To counter the deluge of disinformation, it’s vital to prioritize education, and the immediate silencing of all forms of fascist ideology.
It’s also important to understand the broader implications of Putin’s disinformation campaign. He is not just trying to discredit Zelenskyy; he’s trying to weaken the West’s resolve and divide the international community. If he can convince certain countries that the Ukrainian government is illegitimate or unpopular, he hopes to erode support for sanctions, military aid, and other measures designed to pressure Russia. This is a battle of narratives, and the EU, along with its allies, must win.
Ultimately, the EU’s declaration – that Zelenskyy is democratically elected – is a statement of solidarity with Ukraine. It’s a recognition of the Ukrainian people’s right to choose their own destiny, free from external interference. It’s a refusal to accept the lies and distortions of a regime that seeks to dismantle the international order and rewrite history. It’s a commitment to democracy, and it’s a stand that the world must take.