President of Ukraine

The president of Ukraine is the head of state of Ukraine. This important role involves representing the country in international relations, making treaties, and guiding the nation's foreign policy. The president is chosen by the citizens of Ukraine in a direct election and serves for five years, with a limit of two terms in a row.

The president's main home is the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, the capital city. Other important buildings used for meetings with leaders from other countries include the House with Chimaeras and the House of the Weeping Widow. The Office of the President, often called "Bankova" after the street it is on, helps the president with decisions about the country.

Since December 5, 1991, Ukraine has had six presidents. Leonid Kravchuk was the first president, followed by Leonid Kuchma, who served two terms. Other presidents include Viktor Yushchenko, Petro Poroshenko, and Viktor Yanukovych. In 2014, Oleksandr Turchynov served as acting president for a short time. Today, the president of Ukraine is Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who began his term on May 20, 2019. Because of martial law, regular elections have been paused.

Overview

The president of Ukraine is also the top leader of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and heads the National Security and Defence Council. This council helps the president make important decisions about keeping the country safe.

According to the Constitution of Ukraine, the president makes sure the country stays independent and that everyone’s rights are protected. The president can stop laws passed by parliament, but parliament can still approve them with a big majority vote. The president can also suggest people for important government jobs and appoint some judges. The president’s actions can be checked by the courts. While in office, the president is protected from being sued for doing their job.

History

The role of the president of Ukraine has changed over time. In the early days, leaders were called by different titles. Mykhailo Hrushevskyi was the first president of the Central Council in 1917–18. Pavlo Skoropadskyi became Hetman in 1918. Later, Volodymyr Vynnychenko and Symon Petliura led as presidents of the Directorate.

After World War II, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, and leaders were chosen differently. In 1991, Ukraine became independent, and Leonid Kravchuk was elected as the first president. He served until 1994 when Leonid Kuchma took over.

In 2004, Viktor Yushchenko won the presidency after protests known as the Orange Revolution. Viktor Yanukovych became president in 2010 but was removed in 2014 during the Revolution of Dignity. Oleksandr Turchynov briefly served as acting president until Petro Poroshenko was elected. In 2019, Volodymyr Zelenskyy won the presidency with a large majority.

Election and eligibility

Main article: Ukrainian presidential elections

The president of Ukraine is chosen by a vote from people who are 18 years old or more. They serve for five years and can be re-elected once in a row.

To be president, a person must be at least 35 years old, a citizen of Ukraine, able to vote, live in Ukraine for ten years, and know the official language well. Elections are usually held every five years on the last Sunday of the year. If the president leaves office early, a new election happens within 90 days. Candidates need to pay a fee to run, but get it back if they make it to the second round of voting. The most recent election was held on April 21, 2019.

Oath and term of office

See also: Ukrainian presidential inauguration

When someone is elected as the president of Ukraine, they must promise to serve the country at a special meeting. This happens within thirty days after the election results are announced. If there is a special election because the old president left office, the new president must promise to serve within five days after the results are announced.

The person who leads the country's top court helps the new president make this promise. The new president places their hand on important books and promises to protect Ukraine and its people, follow the country's rules, and work for the good of everyone. After making the promise, the president signs a copy and gives it to the leader of the top court.

Duties and powers

The president of Ukraine is the country's head of state and plays a key role in protecting the nation's independence and following the rules set by the Constitution. The president makes sure that the rights of people are respected and that the country stays strong and united.

The president has many important jobs. They can suggest who should be the Prime Minister, and they must sign laws for them to become official. The president can speak to the country and its parliament about important issues and can call votes to decide big questions. They also pick leaders for local governments.

In world affairs, the president speaks for Ukraine. They can make and sign agreements with other countries and choose leaders for Ukraine's representatives around the world. The president can also suggest leaders for important government jobs, like the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence.

The president has the power to stop laws passed by Parliament, and they can call early elections if needed. They can also stop actions by the government if they go against the Constitution. The president leads the country's military as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and can declare martial law or a state of emergency when needed.

The president can also forgive people’s crimes, give out important awards, and decide on citizenship and political refuge. They choose many important leaders in Ukraine, including those for regional governments and various committees and agencies.

List of presidential appointments

• Heads of diplomatic missions of Ukraine (ambassadors)
• Prime Minister of Ukraine (consent of the Verkhovna Rada), in 1996–2004 and 2010–2014
• Members of Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (submission of Prime-Minister), in 1996–2004 and 2010–2014
• Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Prosecutor General of Ukraine (consent of the Verkhovna Rada)
• Chairperson of the Anti-Monopoly Committee of Ukraine (consent of the Verkhovna Rada)
• Chairperson of the State Property Fund of Ukraine (consent of the Verkhovna Rada)
• Chairperson of the State Committee of Ukraine on Television and Radio-broadcasting (consent of the Verkhovna Rada)
• Members of other central bodies of executive power (submission of Prime-Minister)
• Heads of regional government (including the Presidential representative of Ukraine in Crimea) (on the submission of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for the term of office of the Head of the State)
• Members of the Council of the National Bank of Ukraine (one-half of the composition)
• Members of the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio-broadcasting (one-half of the composition)
• The High Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and main military formations
• Constitutional Court of Ukraine (one-third of the composition)
• Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine
• Presidential first aide
• Presidential press secretary

Supporting agencies

Security agencies

• War Cabinet
  • Stavka of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief (Armed Forces of Ukraine)
  • General Staff (Joint Operation Staff)
• National Security and Defence Council (RNBO)
• Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)
• Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (SZR)
• State Special Communications Service of Ukraine (Derzhspetszvyazok)
• Pardons Commission

Administrative agencies

• National Institute of Strategic Research
• National Academy of State Administration
• Presidential Administration of Ukraine (APU)
• State Administration of Affairs (DUS)
• Local State Administrations
• Constitutional Assembly of Ukraine

Impeachment

Main article: Impeachment in Ukraine

If a president is thought to have done something very wrong, like betraying the country, there is a way to remove them from office. First, most of the parliament must agree to start an investigation. Then, if enough members agree, a vote is held. To remove the president, even more members must agree. Special courts also help decide if the president should be removed.

Succession

If the president of Ukraine cannot do their job because of illness or other reasons, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada becomes the acting president. This person serves until a new president is chosen in an election. The acting president has some limits: they cannot speak to the nation and parliament, dismiss the legislative branch, or appoint people for important government and judicial jobs. They also cannot call for a vote of the people, give out military ranks or awards, or forgive people’s crimes. The rules do not say what happens if both the president and the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada are not able to serve.

Privileges

When someone is elected as the President of Ukraine, they receive many special benefits. They are protected by law from being sued or faced with legal trouble, except if the parliament decides to remove them from office. The president also has personal security guards to keep them safe.

The president receives a yearly salary and uses special airplanes for travel. They have many official homes to use, including a main ceremony house called the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv. There are also other homes in different parts of the country for the president to use.

The president has special symbols like a flag, a seal, and other important items kept in the country's main library. The president’s spouse may be called the First Lady, but this title does not come with any official duties.

Presidential awards

The president of Ukraine can give out a special award called the "Honorary Weapon." This award is a 9-mm caliber Fort-21.02 pistol with 16 bullets. The pistol is made of strong steel, and the handle is made of fine wood. The name of the person who receives the award is engraved on a plate. This award was started in 1995 by President Leonid Kuchma, who gave out the most of these pistols, a total of 85. From 1995 to 2018, presidents gave these honorary weapons to 152 people. Since 2019, no one has received this special award.

List of presidents

Main article: List of presidents of Ukraine

Timeline (since 1991)