Ukraineโs parliament has extended martial law until August, lawmakers said on Wednesday, delaying the timing of new elections that the United States and Russia have been pushing for.
As the war with Russia rages on, an overwhelming majority of 357 deputies on Wednesday supported the extension. It allows the country to continue mobilising troops and suspends the election cycle.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has faced pressure to hold elections from US President Donald Trump, who called him a dictator โ criticism that prompted Ukrainians to rally around Zelensky and boosted his approval ratings. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly questioned Zelenskyโs legitimacy after his term ended in 2024.
But in line with the Ukrainian legislation, elections are impossible during martial law.
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Trump says Zelensky ready to negotiate to end war with Russia
Trump says Zelensky ready to negotiate to end war with Russia
As peace talks led by the Trump administration created hopes for a potential ceasefire and eventual elections, some Ukrainian opposition politicians started criticising Zelensky more openly.