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To: Deaf Smith
Zelenskyy isn't "self-appointed" or a dictator; he was democratically elected in 2019 with a landslide 73% of the vote in a free and fair election monitored internationally. His term technically expired in May 2024, but Ukraine's constitution (Article 108) explicitly allows the incumbent to remain in office until a new president is elected and sworn in—no power grab required.

The "suspension" of elections isn't Zelenskyy's whim; it's mandated by Ukrainian law, which bans presidential, parliamentary, and local votes during martial law—a state of emergency imposed right after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) has extended martial law every 90 days since then—most recently in July 2025 until November 5—with broad support, including from opposition parties like Petro Poroshenko's European Solidarity. On February 26, 2025, they even passed a resolution reaffirming no wartime elections.

Why the ban? Practical impossibilities: Russia occupies ~20% of Ukraine, millions are displaced or abroad (7+ million refugees), and the whole country is under missile/drone threat—holding secure, inclusive voting would be a logistical nightmare and a propaganda win for Moscow. Polls back this: 81% of Ukrainians oppose elections until the war ends (KIIS, October 2023), and over 200 NGOs/human rights groups agree it's undemocratic to force them now. Zelenskyy himself has said he'd hold elections during a ceasefire and step down if needed post-war.

This isn't unique—democracies like the UK skipped elections during WWII, and even Russia held its 2024 "election" under martial law, but it was slammed as fraudulent by observers. Calling Zelenskyy a dictator echoes Kremlin propaganda to undermine Ukraine's legitimacy. His approval's still ~65% (down from 90% early war highs), and opposition remains active. If the war ends, elections will happen—full stop. What's your source on the "self-appointed" bit?

5 posted on 10/03/2025 9:04:48 PM PDT by Cronos
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To: Cronos

I have a very hard time supporting a debauched “leader” whose only qualification was being a comedian, is corrupted beyond belief, and recorded on film wearing high heels and playing a piano with his penis.

You really know how to pick them.

Debauched
-Corrupted; immoral; self-indulgent.
-Unrestrained by convention or morality”


7 posted on 10/04/2025 6:25:24 AM PDT by delta7
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