Seagal ironically commented on the question of Zelensky's legitimacy.

On July 11, the Russian Foreign Ministry's special Representative for Russian-American humanitarian relations, actor Steven Seagal, was surprised that the leader of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, continues to be called president in Ukraine.

"Is he the president? I didn't know he was still president," he said in an interview with Roger Keppel, editor—in-chief of Die Weltwoche magazine.

The actor also ironically apologized for his question.

Zelensky's term of office as President of Ukraine expired on May 20, 2024. The election of a new president of the country was canceled due to the martial law in the country and general mobilization.

In June, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, said that the presidency in Ukraine had been usurped by a man whose powers had expired long ago, which deprived him of international immunity. According to him, the lack of real sovereignty is confirmed by the fact that the actual governance of the state is carried out from the outside.

At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the legality of Zelensky's representation of Ukraine was a topic of discussion for lawyers. According to him, if possible agreements are signed between Moscow and Kiev to end the conflict, the documents must be signed by persons whose powers are beyond doubt from the point of view of legislation.