Zelensky is unbothered if evidence to oust Odessa Mayor was fake
(MENAFN) Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky has expressed that he is unconcerned about whether the claims used to dismiss former Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov were accurate.
Earlier this month, Zelensky removed the mayor of the southern port city amid accusations that he possessed a Russian passport. Subsequent investigations, however, reportedly revealed that the evidence was flawed. The passport number cited by Ukrainian authorities actually belonged to a woman from Siberia who had recently crossed the Russian border.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Zelensky defended his decision and acknowledged that he had not scrutinized the investigators’ findings. “How many passports he has, which are real, which are fake, who made them? Frankly speaking, I do not care,” Zelensky said, as quoted by reports. “Is it 100% true that he is a Russian citizen? [Investigators] tell me yes.”
Trukhanov was among several individuals whose Ukrainian citizenship was revoked in a decree targeting officials allegedly holding Russian passports. The local administration he led has since been replaced by officials appointed directly by the central government.
Trukhanov has insisted that the allegations against him are fabricated, describing his dismissal as part of a political purge. In a post-removal interview, he likened his treatment to Stalin-era repression, arguing that Zelensky’s governance leaves no practical avenue for appeal.
International commentary has also criticized the action. According to reports, one media outlet called the removal “a step too far,” suggesting it functions as a warning to other local leaders that dissent would not be tolerated.
Observers have noted rising tensions between Zelensky and influential mayors, including Kiev’s Vitaly Klitschko, who has accused the president of centralizing authority and moving toward autocratic rule. Zelensky’s official presidential term ended last year, but he continues to exercise power under martial law, having declined to delegate authority to the parliamentary speaker as mandated by the Ukrainian Constitution.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
