Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada passed a resolution Tuesday affirming that national elections cannot take place while the country remains under martial law, directly countering remarks by US President Donald Trump questioning the legitimacy of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration. Additionally, the resolution formally extends Zelenskyy’s mandate until martial law is lifted.

The resolution, which reiterates Zelenskyy’s continued authority as Ukraine’s head of state, serves as a direct response to a statement from Trump, who has suggested that the absence of elections undermines his legitimacy. 286 deputies voted in favor of the resolution, with no abstentions or votes against it. The measure was approved after an initial vote failed to gain sufficient support on Monday.

On Sunday, Zelenskyy stated that he would step down if it would secure peace for Ukraine, adding that he would also resign if it guaranteed the country’s NATO membership. However, the Ukrainian parliament emphasized on Tuesday that Zelenskyy was elected in a legitimate vote and remains the country’s lawful president. The body further confirmed that national elections will not be held until martial law is lifted following the establishment of a “comprehensive, fair, and sustainable peace.”

Ukraine’s constitution prohibits the holding of elections during martial law, which was extended in July 2023, one year after Russia’s full-scale invasion. The resolution underlines that neither the Ukrainian people nor the Verkhovna Rada question Zelenskyy’s legitimacy and states that, under the country’s constitution, he must remain in office until a new president is elected.