Ukraine Likely to Extend Martial Law as War Disrupts Electoral Timeline:

Ukrainian lawmakers are expected to extend martial law beyond its current expiration date of May 9, as the country remains at war with Russia. Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said the conditions are not suitable for holding free and fair elections while parts of Ukraine are under occupation and military attacks continue.

Martial law, which requires parliamentary renewal every 90 days, suspends the electoral process and allows for full military mobilization.

Election Feasibility in Wartime: A Legal and Logistical Challenge

Ukraine has not held national elections since 2019, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s five-year term technically expired last year. However, ongoing conflict has made elections impractical, with about 800,000 Ukrainian soldiers currently in uniform and nearly 9 million citizens displaced, either internally or across Europe.

Russia occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory, and heavy fighting continues across a 1,000-kilometer front line. Many cities and towns remain under threat of missile strikes and drone attacks.

International Pressure and Ukraine's Democratic Commitment

Both the United States and Russia have urged Kyiv to resume elections. However, Stefanchuk emphasized Ukraine's ongoing commitment to democracy, in contrast to what he described as Russia’s authoritarian model.

“Ukraine has always been—and will remain—a democratic country,” Stefanchuk told Reuters. “This is what separates us from the Russian Federation.”

Future Election Planning in Early Stages

Stefanchuk confirmed that early preparations for future elections have begun, but Ukraine still lacks a legal framework to conduct them during or after wartime. No decisions have been made about whether local, parliamentary, or presidential elections will be held first.

Creating a new electoral law and structure is expected to be a complex task, especially in a post-war recovery phase. Pre-war elections cost around 4 billion hryvnias ($100 million), and future polls will also require robust security protocols to counter manipulation attempts by hostile actors.