"Not a coincidence with Putin": Macron clarified whether Zelensky is a legitimate president.

Against the backdrop of the loud statements from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the alleged illegitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron asserted that his Ukrainian counterpart is a legitimate and "freely elected president." This, he added, cannot be said about the head of Russia, Vladimir Putin.

"This is not the case for Vladimir Putin, who has been killing his opponents and manipulating his elections for a long time," Macron added, whose words were quoted by the French TV channel BFMTV.

These remarks from Macron came the day after Donald Trump's shocking statements, where he labeled his Ukrainian counterpart a "dictator without elections." According to the American president, Volodymyr Zelensky "is refusing to hold elections."

The French President emphasized that Zelensky cannot conduct elections as almost three years of martial law have been in effect in Ukraine. Under these circumstances, ensuring a fair electoral process is impossible.

"Do you think we would enjoy holding elections in such a situation? ... How do you think he can organize presidential or legislative elections in a country from which millions of Ukrainians have fled for their safety, where he has mobilized several million others to the front... and a whole strip of his territory has been seized by Russia?", Macron added.

The French leader noted that he desires "more democracy in Ukraine in the long term through sustained peace." According to him, "Zelensky also wants democracy because he is a product of it."

As reported by "Telegraph," in response to Trump's criticism, the UN also issued a statement regarding Zelensky's legitimacy. The organization's position was expressed by the official spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Stéphane Dujarric.