Putin's Belarus visit raises questions on 'new Ukraine center'

During the recent visit to Minsk, Vladimir Putin was accompanied by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. According to Serhiy Bulba, this was not a coincidence. "It is quite likely that Putin and Yanukovych were trying to convince Lukashenko that they would organize a 'new Ukraine center' somewhere on Belarusian territory," he claims.

"It could have been that Putin tried to persuade Lukashenko that they would organize a 'new Ukraine center' or 'correct Ukraine,' as Putin understands it, somewhere in Belarus," said Serhiy Bulba in an interview with Ukrainian television Kyiv24.

The Belarusian oppositionist believes that Putin failed to convince Lukashenko of his idea. "Lukashenko supported Putin, saying that everything in Ukraine is legally questionable, but he did not allow himself harsher attacks on President Zelensky," he stated.

"This shows that there is no direct support for Putin's project," he added in an interview with Kyiv24.

May 20 marked five years since Zelensky was sworn in as the head of the Ukrainian state. Official Moscow media promoted the message that on May 21, "Zelensky's full legitimacy came to an end." According to Russian propaganda, this is expected to affect Ukrainians' willingness to fight for their homeland.

The Ukrainian constitution provides for a five-year presidential term. At the same time, the fundamental law indicates that the head of state should fulfill his duties until a new president is elected.

In an interview with Reuters, Zelensky himself emphasized that his five years (of presidency) are not over yet because they were extended due to martial law.