Ukraine has foiled an alleged plot to overthrow the government that “would have played into Russia’s hands,” security officials in the war-torn country said Monday.
Under the Ukrainian constitution, they cannot hold an election while martial law is under effect. Much of the population (a majority?) is either displaced or in an occupied territory.
Isn't their government currently illegitimate because they refused to hold elections?
Fact is, if Russia wanted to overthrow Zelensky they would've done it by now. The problem isn't Zelensky, but the entire notion of Ukrainian independence from Russia. Until Russia can comprehensively beat that idea out of the Ukrainian ethos, this war will not end.
See also: US-Cuba, China-Taiwan, and historically US-South America under the Monroe Doctrine.
Note that this idea isn't about domestic sovereignty insomuch as it is about who your allies can be. If Ukraine were independent but in CSTO or even in BRICS, there would be no issues. Similarly, if Cuba were to be a US ally instead, sanctions would be dropped and it would be welcomed with open arms.
"If Russia wanted to do X they would have done so already"
Sure, sure, any day now.
The mighty russian golf cart army will tAkE aLL of Ukraine if they Want to, but they prefer to die in the trenches. And install a puppet gov that makes them win the war? Naah vatnik still prefer to die in trench.
How is it a fact that Russia would have done it by now if they wanted it? You think thenparatroopers they landed into Kiev were there for the scenery? That Russia truly wanted to rid themselves of billions upon billions in equipment and half a million of their population?