The Verkhovna Rada extended martial law for another three months. It was extended from 9 May for another 90 days – until 6 August. 357 MPs voted in favour and one MP voted against, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak said.
The term of general mobilisation was also extended for 90 days. This decision was voted for by 346 deputies, and against by one.
Yesterday, representatives of the European Solidarity party accused the authorities of "using" martial law. Petro Poroshenko said that "the authorities want to abuse martial law" and use it to build an "authoritarian regime".
His fellow faction member Oleksiy Honcharenko said he would not vote for the extension of martial law and mobilisation. He believes that a law on clear terms of service and demobilisation should be passed first. According to Honcharenko, refusing to vote for the extension of martial law and mobilisation will put pressure on the authorities to introduce a draft law on service terms.
Yesterday, following the statements of the European Solidarity members, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk said that "the final results of Putin's casting in the Rada will be seen tomorrow – among those who will vote against the extension of martial law".
Speaking before the vote, MPs from various factions spoke in favour of extending martial law.
- Yesterday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted draft laws to the Rada to extend mobilisation and martial law, which are due to expire on 9 May.
- Draft laws on the extension of martial law and mobilisation are regularly adopted before the expiration of the previous ones.
- There is an option to lift martial law throughout the country or in certain parts of it before it expires. To do so, the president must issue a decree. The condition is that there is no threat to state security and territorial integrity.