America News Agency

Speaking at a press conference following his two-day official visit to Uzbekistan, Putin called for a deep legal analysis of Zelenskiy's status, emphasizing that there is no provision in Ukraine's constitution expanding the powers of the head of state.

Zelenskiy had argued that his term as Ukraine's leader was extended due to the imposition of martial law and the impossibility of holding presidential elections during wartime.

Putin did not address the suspension of presidential elections in Ukraine's constitution, only emphasizing the prohibition of parliamentary elections under such conditions, stating that under such circumstances only the national legislature, which is the sole national legislative body, could have its term extended.

Putin acknowledged that Ukraine's mobilization law states that presidential elections cannot be held during wartime, but emphasized that this law does not say anything about extending the president's term.

Referring to Article 111 of Ukraine's constitution, Putin argued that presidential powers should be transferred to the Speaker of Parliament, and that the only legitimate authority in the country now belongs to the national legislative body.