A petition calling for a press conference by Zelenskyy with independent media was published following several refusals

Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference. Photo: LIGA.net

A petition has appeared on the Ukrainian President’s website calling for Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold an open press conference attended by journalists from independent media outlets. The author of the petition is listed as Anna Repina.

According to journalist Danylo Mokryk, at least five such petitions had been blocked. He suggested that the reasons why the previous petitions were not published might have changed.

«Something incredible has happened. After at least five online petitions to the President regarding Zelenskyy’s press conference were blocked, the latest one has finally been published. Either the requirements that the previous petitions failed to meet have suddenly changed, or did someone in the President’s Office, quite by accident, press the «publish» button instead of «block» — but the petition regarding Zelenskyy’s press conference for independent media is now open for signatures,» the journalist noted.

Earlier, on 20 August, Danylo Mokryk reported that the President’s Office had refused to publish the petition. In their reply to the author, they stated that the petition “did not meet the established requirements”, which is why it was not published.

Screenshot of the Office of the President’s reply regarding the publication of the petition. Photo: Danylo Mokryk

Following this, the journalist submitted a request to the President’s Office to find out who had taken the decision to refuse publication and exactly which requirements the petition failed to meet. He also asked for a copy of the relevant decision and the regulatory act setting out the requirements for electronic petitions.

A new petition proposes that President Zelenskyy hold an open press conference attended by journalists from independent media outlets. They should be given the opportunity to ask the President questions about domestic policy and current social issues without having to submit their questions in advance for approval.

Screenshot of the petition from the Office of the President’s website

Among the media outlets whose representatives are proposed to be invited are «Ukrainska Pravda», «Bihus.Info», «Slidstvo.Info», «Radio Svoboda», «Hromadske», «The Kyiv Independent», «Suspilne», «NV», «Dzerkalo Tyzhnia», «BBC Ukraine» and «Liga.net».

The petition emphasises that this is an opportunity for journalists to ask the President tough and uncomfortable questions.

At the time of publication, the petition had gathered 839 of the 25,000 signatures required. The collection of signatures will continue until 27 November.

It should be noted that Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s last open press conference took place in February 2025. Around 150 media outlets took part at the time.