Ukraine will not extend martial law after Russia seized ships
Ukraine's president has said he has no intention of extending martial law unless there is a large-scale attack from Russia.
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Ukrainian soldiers deployed near the Russian border. Photo:RT. |
"If Russian forces do not cross the administrative border in Crimea to attack Ukrainian territory, martial law will not be extended. Preparations for the presidential election scheduled for March 2019 will begin by decision of the parliament,"UNIANDecember 16 quoted a statement by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
Martial law was imposed in 10 Ukrainian provinces bordering Russia from November 28 to December 27, after the Russian Coast Guard opened fire and seized three Russian warships in the Black Sea on November 25. Moscow accused the ships of violating its territorial waters and not following procedures, while Kiev said its sailors were only exercising their right to freedom of navigation under international law and demanded Russia release the sailors.
Martial law allows the Ukrainian military to impose curfews, set up military checkpoints and restrict “the freedom of movement of citizens, foreigners and vehicles”. Ukrainian soldiers at checkpoints are authorized to check documents and conduct on-the-spot searches of people and vehicles.
However, Ukrainian MP Volodymyr Husak warned earlier this month that the measure could cost Kiev billions of dollars in export revenue because current international regulations often prohibit the import and export of goods from countries imposing martial law.
