Ukraine parliament approves 90-day extension of martial law

Ukraine’s parliament voted on Sunday to extend martial law in the country for another 90 days, the Ukrainian legislature announced on its Telegram channel. Now, the law goes into effect until August 23.

There were 320 votes in favor of the measure, according to Verkhovna Rada, a member of Parliament, which has a total of 450 members.

The expectation is now that President Volodymyr Zelensky will sign the measure into law.

Zelensky established martial law, which provides for a general military mobilization, which prohibits men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving Ukraine on March 25, the start of the conflict with Russia.

The measure was imposed after Russian forces invaded the country. The action that prevents Ukrainians in this age group from leaving can be applied in several countries, but it only takes effect in “exceptional” situations, such as the outbreak of a war or in the event of natural disasters and catastrophes.

In signing the declaration, Zelensky justified the implementation of the law.

“To ensure the defense of the state while maintaining broad combat readiness and movement of the Ukrainian armed forces and other military formations,” the Ukrainian president said.

Martial law says that “the mobilization must be carried out within 90 days from the date of entry into force of this decree”.

The mobilization also instructs “the Security Service of Ukraine to take counterintelligence measures during the general mobilization”.

Zelensky further ordered the “recruitment of recruits, reservists for military service, their delivery to military units and institutions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine” and other state security services.