Ukrainian parliament soon extends martial law for 90 days
The Ukrainian parliament intends to soon extend martial law and mobilization for another 90 days, which was due to expire on May 9. This dispelled speculation in the Western and Ukrainian media about the start of preparations for elections.
According to RT on April 13, Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak said that martial law and mobilization will be extended. Moreover, they will be extended quite soon. “This will take place on April 15-18... The new order is valid for 90 days,” - TASS quoted Zheleznyak as saying.
The lawmaker said that President Volodymyr Zelensky will submit the relevant bills to the parliament on April 14 or 15. The documents will first be considered by a specialized committee and then put to a general vote. Zheleznyak clarified that martial law is usually extended two weeks before its expiration.
According to the politician, extending martial law would make it impossible to hold presidential or parliamentary elections in August, as the law requires 60 and 90 days, respectively, to organize these election campaigns.
“Anyone who expected the elections to be announced in the fall... was a little mistaken,” said MP Zheleznyak.
Mr. Zheleznyak also stressed that the extension of martial law and the mobilization of the army should be a signal to both internal forces in Ukraine and Kiev's foreign sponsors.
“If Congress decides to extend martial law, and for 90 days, then promises about a quick end to the conflict, including from American partners... will seem unrealistic,” he said.
These references by the Ukrainian MP came amid reports in Western and Ukrainian media citing sources and reporting that the Ukrainian authorities have allegedly begun preparations for the presidential elections.
According to RT analysts, the Ukrainian authorities are not actually interested in holding elections, and this issue is being covered in the media mainly by opponents of Mr. Zelensky.
“This topic is being stirred up by “pro-American” insiders and the political opposition in Ukraine, who see in the hypothetical elections an opportunity to return to real politics. For Zelensky, this is a risky adventure, the outcome of which depends on which external partners will finance and control the whole process. For example, the current US administration clearly does not support the head of Kiev,” Ivan Skorikov, head of the Ukraine department at the Institute of CIS States, said in a comment to RT.
In his view, this is precisely why lifting martial law is not beneficial for President Zelensky, since elections will not be held while martial law is in effect.