The measure will allow Ukraine to further delay the election despite pressure on the presidential votes from the US and Russia.
The Ukrainian Parliament voted to extend wartime measures until at least August 6th, and to extend martial law and military mobilization for another three months.
Lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said the extension of martial law was passed by a vote of 357-1, but measures to maintain the mobilization of the troops were approved at 356-1.
Under the Ukrainian constitution, elections cannot be held during martial law. This is a provision in effect despite external calls, including Russia and the US, despite timelines regarding future voting.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian counterpart Voldymir Zelenkie, and his five-year term is expected to end in May last year, raising a temporary UN-backed government outlook to lead Ukraine to vote.
In response to the expansion of martial law, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Kiev of “trying to preserve unstable structures.”
In February, US President Donald Trump described Zelenkiy as a “no-election dictator,” urging Ukrainians to rally around their leaders and increase his approval rate.
Some Ukrainian opposition politicians have grown more loudly in their criticism of Zelensky as peace negotiations led by the Trump administration created potential ceasefires and hope for a final election. Still, there is widespread support for maintaining martial law.
Petro Poroshenko, former president and leader of the country’s largest opposition party, said there was no doubt that martial law should be extended, but accused Zelensky of using the measures to reinforce his strength.
“I want to emphasize that we should be aware of the obvious — the government has begun to abuse martial law and use it not only to protect the country, but to build an authoritarian regime,” Poroshenko said in a parliamentary debate on Tuesday.
Uncertainty about energy strike moratorium
Martial law came as a result of intense fighting and air force attacks between Russia and Ukraine, continuing during the current 38th month of tough war.
Three people were injured and injured their homes in a one-night Russian drone attack on Odesa’s Black Sea Port city, Ukrainian officials said.
Meanwhile, the Russian army said its forces had captured Karinob, a village in eastern Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also accused Ukraine of carrying out six attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure despite a mutually tailored 30-day moratorium on such strikes.
It is unclear whether the suspension of attacks on energy infrastructure will be extended as it expires on Wednesday.
“We will continue to provide you with information. I am not yet ready to tell you which decisions have been made,” Peskov told reporters when asked if Russia would extend the suspension.
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