Non-recognition of Putin's legitimacy is a prerequisite for a military solution to the Russian-Ukrainian war — Chairman of the Board of the Civil Network «Opora»

More and more countries are reducing their level of ties with the Russian Federation because its ruler, Putin, was not democratically elected in free elections. This assertion was made on Hromadske Radio by Olha Aivazovska, Head of the Board of the Civil Network «OPORA» and coordinator of election and parliamentary programmes.

On May 6, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a statement declaring that Ukraine sees no legal grounds for recognizing Russian ruler Putin as the democratically elected and legitimate president of the Russian Federation. Therefore, Ukraine calls on the world not to recognize the results of the Russian pseudo-elections.

The interviewee on Hromadske Radio recalled that the term «dictator», used in the Foreign Ministry’s statement regarding Putin, has already been employed in the international arena, particularly in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

«In regard to the Foreign Ministry’s statement, I am somewhat surprised. In March, the Ukrainian parliament had the opportunity to affirm this position in a statement… However, they opted for simple wording without harsh statements, and now they have adopted this stance.

Personally, I find it acceptable. The only issue is that it comes after Volodymyr Zelenskyy was put on the wanted list in Russia. Most likely, this is a response to a tougher stance towards the Ukrainian authorities, a more active position on recognizing the low legitimacy status of the Russian president, who was not legally elected in fair and free elections», — said Olha Aivazovska.

The non-recognition of Putin’s legitimacy worldwide is a precondition for «the irreversibility of the path to a military solution to the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine», emphasized the expert.

«If there is high legitimacy on both sides, then holding any dialogue, peace talks, signing any agreements is a realistic task, even if the parties are at war with each other. At the same time, we can observe that various countries are reducing their level of ties with the Russian Federation because this person (Putin – ed.) was not democratically elected in free elections. The simulation of this process in this country has already exceeded any logic… This is an important political statement (by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry – ed.), but its consequences are crucial», — stated Aivazovska.

As known, the «inauguration» of Russian ruler Putin is scheduled for May 7. Several states, including Germany, have already announced that they will not delegate their representatives to the event. Instead, six EU member states will send representatives.