The Association of Ukrainian Cities has appealed to the president regarding the pressure on local self-government.

Representatives of local self-government have reported pressure from law enforcement and judicial bodies. In January 2025, the leaders of several small communities complained about violations of legislation, procedures, and fairness during the procedural actions taken against them. This is mentioned in the appeal of the Board of the Association of Ukrainian Cities to President Volodymyr Zelensky dated January 27.

The Association claims that government authorities are initiating "fabricated cases" with the aim of removing elected leaders chosen by the residents. Among the local government representatives who reached out to the Association of Ukrainian Cities is Oleksandr Suprunyuk, the mayor of Netishyn in Khmelnytskyi region.

“At the initiative of the Shepetivka District Police Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Khmelnytskyi region, Suprunyuk has been suspended from his duties for 60 days under house arrest for the municipality's purchase of drones for military units,” the statement reads.

In another case, Taras Kuchma, the mayor of Drohobych, was forcibly taken by police at the initiative of the Drohobych District TCC for commemorating the Day of Unity in the community.

Oleksandr Markushyn, the mayor of Irpin in Kyiv region, was arrested for 60 days with the possibility of posting a 30 million UAH bail for his lawful departure abroad. The Association explains that Markushyn is a single father whose two-year-old son lost his mother.

“Systematic pressure on local self-government weakens communities and Ukraine as a whole, thereby undermining the country in its war against the aggressor and complicating the path to our Victory. Local self-government is the foundation of democracy and a vital part of defending Ukraine's independence during the full-scale invasion; strong local governance sets us apart from Putin's Russia,” the signatories emphasize.