President of Ukraine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of Ukraine |
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Presidential standard
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| Executive branch of the Ukrainian Government Office of the President |
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| Style | Mr. President (informal) Supreme Commander–in–Chief (military) His Excellency (diplomatic) |
| Member of | National Security and Defense Council |
| Residence | Mariinskyi Palace (ceremonial) 13 other available for use |
| Appointer | Popular vote |
| Term length | Five years,
renewable once consecutively
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Ukraine |
| Formation | 5 December 1991 (first established) 28 June 1996 (legal status defined) |
| First holder | Leonid Kravchuk |
| Deputy | Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada |
| Salary | ₴336,000 or US$12,300 per annum est. (2016) |
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The President of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Президент України, romanized: Prezydent Ukrainy) is the head of state of Ukraine. The president represents Ukraine in international relations and handles the country's foreign policy. They also lead negotiations and sign international agreements.
The president is chosen directly by the people of Ukraine in an election. They serve for a five-year term and can be re-elected only once.
The official home of the president is the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv. Other official buildings, like the House with Chimaeras and the House of the Weeping Widow, are used for welcoming foreign guests. The Office of the President of Ukraine, often called "Bankova," is where the president's team works. They advise the president on matters at home and abroad.
Since the office began on December 5, 1991, Ukraine has had six presidents. Leonid Kravchuk was the first, serving from 1991 to 1994. Leonid Kuchma was the only president to serve two terms in a row.
Ukraine has a semi-presidential system. This means the president is the head of state, but the prime minister is the head of government. The current prime minister is Denys Shmyhal.
The current president is Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who took office on May 20, 2019. Because of martial law in the country, elections have been put on hold.
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What the President Does
The president is also the supreme commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They lead the National Security and Defence Council. This council advises the president on national security and defence.
According to the Constitution of Ukraine, the president makes sure Ukraine's sovereignty (its independence) and its borders are protected. They also ensure that the Constitution is followed and that people's rights and freedoms are respected.
The president has powers that help balance the authority of the parliament and the courts. For example, the president can say "no" (veto) to a law passed by parliament. However, parliament can still pass the law if two-thirds of its members vote for it.
The president can also suggest candidates for the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence. They also appoint some judges to the Constitutional Court of Ukraine. The president's decisions can be checked by Ukraine's courts.
History of Ukraine's Leaders
Early Leaders
Before the modern presidency, Ukraine had different leaders. Mykhailo Hrushevsky was a key figure in the early Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) around 1918. Other important leaders included Pavlo Skoropadskyi, Volodymyr Vynnychenko, and Symon Petliura. These leaders guided Ukraine during a time when it was trying to become independent.
Leaders in Exile
After Ukraine came under Soviet control in the 1920s, some Ukrainian leaders continued to work from outside the country. They kept the idea of an independent Ukraine alive. The last president-in-exile, Mykola Plaviuk, officially handed over his authority to the first elected president of modern Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, in 1992. This showed a link between the old Ukrainian People's Republic and the new independent Ukraine.
Modern Presidents
The modern office of the President of Ukraine was created on July 5, 1991. This happened just before Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union. The first election was held on December 1, 1991.
Leonid Kravchuk was elected as Ukraine's first president. He received a record number of votes. Later, Leonid Kuchma was elected and served two terms.
The 2004 election was very important. There were claims of unfair voting. This led to large, peaceful protests across the country, known as the "Orange Revolution." Because of these protests, a new election was held, and Viktor Yushchenko became president.
In 2010, Viktor Yanukovych was elected president. However, he was later removed from power in 2014 after major protests. The head of parliament, Oleksandr Turchynov, then became the acting president for a short time. An acting president has fewer powers than a full president.
In 2014, Petro Poroshenko was elected president. He served until 2019.
The 2019 election saw Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a former actor, elected as the sixth president. He won with a very high percentage of votes. Due to the ongoing war, the next election, which was planned for 2024, has been postponed.
Ukraine's government system means both the president and the prime minister have important roles. However, the president is generally seen as having more power because they must approve the prime minister's appointment.
How a President is Elected
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The President of Ukraine is chosen by Ukrainian citizens who are 18 years or older. They are elected for a five-year term and can serve a maximum of two terms in a row.
Ukraine uses a two-round election system. If no candidate wins more than half of the votes in the first round, the top two candidates compete in a second round. The person who gets the most votes in the second round wins.
To become president, a candidate must be a Ukrainian citizen, at least 35 years old, able to vote, and have lived in Ukraine for the past 10 years. They must also be fluent in the Ukrainian language. Regular presidential elections are usually held on the last Sunday of the last month of the president's fifth year in office.
The last presidential election took place on April 21, 2019.
Taking the Oath of Office
The president-elect officially takes office about a month after the election results are announced. This happens at a special meeting of the Verkhovna Rada, which is Ukraine's parliament.
The head of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine leads the oath-taking ceremony. The president-elect places their hand on the Constitution and the Peresopnytsia Gospels while saying the oath.
The oath promises loyalty to Ukraine. It states that the president will protect Ukraine's independence, work for the good of the country and its people, and uphold the rights and freedoms of citizens. The president also promises to follow the Constitution and laws, and to boost Ukraine's standing in the world.
After saying the oath, the president signs it and gives it to the head of the Constitutional Court.
Presidential Responsibilities and Powers
The president is the protector of Ukraine's independence and its borders. They also make sure the Constitution and human rights are respected. The president is the supreme commander of the military.
The president does not lead the government's executive branch. That role belongs to the prime minister. Instead, the president represents the entire country and government. The president must ensure that the government's different parts (executive, legislative, judicial) follow the Constitution. The president is also not allowed to lead a political party.
The president suggests who should be the Prime Minister. The parliament then votes to approve this choice. Laws passed by parliament must be signed by the president to become official. The president can also create special groups to advise them.
In international matters, the president represents Ukraine. They can negotiate and sign treaties with other countries. Only the president can officially recognize other nations. They also appoint Ukraine's ambassadors to other countries.
The president can veto laws passed by parliament, but parliament can override this veto with a two-thirds vote. The president also has the power to dissolve parliament and call for new elections, though this has only happened twice.
The president can stop actions by the Cabinet of Ministers if they go against the Constitution. They also appoint some members of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine. The president can choose the Prosecutor General and the head of the Security Service of Ukraine with parliament's approval.
As the commander-in-chief, the president leads the military. They can declare war (with parliament's approval) and order the army to defend against attacks. If the country is in danger, the president can declare Martial law.
The president can grant pardon to people. They can also give out state awards, like the Hero of Ukraine, and high military ranks. The president can grant or take away Ukrainian citizenship.
The president appoints the heads of local governments and representatives to regions like Crimea.
Supporting Agencies
The Office of the President of Ukraine helps the president with analysis, advice, and legal support. It's often called "Bankova" because of its location. The head of this office is a very influential person.
The State Administration of Affairs (DUS) provides support for the president and other state officials. This includes things like housing, health care, and other services.
If the President Cannot Serve
If a president dies in office or cannot do their job, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (the head of parliament) becomes the acting president. This is a temporary role until a new president can be elected.
An acting president has limited powers. They cannot address the nation, dismiss parliament, or appoint government officials. They also cannot call for a referendum or grant pardons.
Presidential Privileges
Being President of Ukraine comes with several privileges. The president has full legal immunity from prosecution while in office. The title "President of Ukraine" is protected by law for life, unless the president is removed through impeachment.
The president's personal security is provided by the State Security Administration. The president also has a special regiment from the Ministry of Internal Affairs for protection.
The president receives a yearly salary. For official trips, the president uses special airplanes provided by the Ukraine Air Enterprise.
Official Buildings
The Office of the President of Ukraine is the main administrative body that supports the president. It is located on Bankova Street in Kyiv.
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The Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv is the official ceremonial residence. Other state residences include the House with Chimaeras and the House of the Weeping Widow in Kyiv. Former presidents are also given a state-owned house after their term.
Official Symbols
The president has several official state symbols. These include the presidential standard, the presidential seal, the presidential ID card, the presidential collar, and the bulava of the president of Ukraine. These symbols are kept at the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine.
First Lady
The president's spouse is known as the First Lady. This title does not come with official duties or legal responsibilities. While some First Ladies, like Kateryna Yushchenko, have received media attention, not much is publicly known about others.
Presidential Awards
The president can award an "Honorary Weapon." This is a special 9-mm pistol with the awardee's name engraved on it. This award was created in 1995.
List of Presidents
Timeline (since 1991)
See also
In Spanish: Presidente de Ucrania para niños
- List of leaders of Ukraine
- President of Ukraine (in exile)
- Separate Presidential Brigade
