US and allies discuss Ukraine's line of succession in event Zelenskyy is captured or killed: Report

The United States and allied nations are reportedly discussing the line of succession for Ukraine government leadership in the event President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is captured or killed.

The Ukrainian Constitution outlines that the speaker of parliament succeeds the president if anything should happen to them in office, the New York Times reported. Ruslan Stefanchuk currently serves as speaker and has been photographed with Zelenskyy and attended key virtual meetings with European leaders since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The succession line for president beyond Stefanchuk, however, is unclear under the constitution. The country’s parliament may need to take additional steps to validate succession measures that extend beyond just top leaders, The Hill reported last month.

Ukrainian officials have meanwhile said they are focused on winning the battles against Russia instead of working on the line of succession.

U. S., English and European Union officials have stated they won’t recognize a puppet government set up by Russia if Kyiv falls, and having a firm succession plan that installs a legal leader would make it easier for allies to undermine a Russian-controlled government in the country, the New York Times reported.

In a bid to protect Ukraine’s independence, U. S. officials have reporte... (Read more)

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