Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has submitted legislation to extend martial law and military mobilization for another 90 days, a move that would again block national elections as his presidential term remains expired.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday submitted two draft bills to Ukraine’s parliament seeking to extend martial law and general military mobilization for an additional 90 days, a step that would once again prevent national elections from being held.
According to RT reporting, one of the proposed measures would extend martial law from Feb. 3 through early May. The second bill would prolong the country’s ongoing mobilization campaign on the same timeline. Martial law has been renewed in successive three-month periods since 2022.
“One of the draft laws submitted to the Verhovna Rada on Monday would extend martial law from February 3 to early May, which would effectively bar national elections for this period,” RT reported. “Martial law has been renewed repeatedly in three-month increments since 2022. The other bill would prolong the controversial forced mobilization campaign on the same timetable.”
Zelensky’s five-year presidential term expired in May 2024, and elections have not been held since that time. Zelensky has repeatedly rejected calls for a vote, citing constitutional restrictions during wartime.
“We all know that the Constitution of Ukraine and the law do not permit elections during wartime, and no one in the world has demanded and does demand this from Ukraine,” Zelensky said in November 2024. “However, there are some people in Ukraine who may be so ‘hungry’ for [elections] that they want to fight within our state more than for our state. They seek political disputes in the trenches, like in film studios. This is detrimental to Ukraine.”
“First, Ukraine needs a just peace, and then Ukrainians will hold fair elections,” he added. “We must prioritize the common interest over any personal desires.”
In December 2025, Zelensky indicated he could be open to holding elections within 60 to 90 days, contingent on security guarantees from Ukraine’s international backers. He emphasized that such guarantees would need to be provided by the United States and European partners.
“I am ready for the elections,” Zelensky told reporters in December. “Not only that, I am asking – and I am now declaring this openly – the United States of America to help me, together with our European colleagues, to ensure security for the elections.”
The latest extension effort follows criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has accused Zelensky of refusing to relinquish power after remaining in office beyond his elected term. Trump previously referred to Zelensky as a “dictator without elections,” a characterization Zelensky has rejected.
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