Martial law in Ukraine is expected to be extended for another three months, effectively prolonging President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hold on power as the conflict with Russia drags on.
On Monday, Zelensky’s office submitted legislation to parliament seeking a 90-day extension of martial law, which was first imposed in 2022 following the escalation of hostilities with Moscow. If passed, the extension will keep martial law in place until at least 5 November.
Under Ukraine’s constitution, elections are not permitted while martial law is in force. Lawmakers’ terms are automatically prolonged under this arrangement, but the same provision does not explicitly apply to the presidency.
Zelensky has previously cited the state of emergency as justification for remaining in office beyond the expiration of his elected term last year.
The proposal is widely expected to pass, ensuring that Zelensky retains presidential powers through the autumn.
The move has fuelled concerns among opposition figures, civil society groups, international watchdogs, and Western media outlets, who fear that Zelensky’s wartime authority could lead to a longer-term erosion of democratic freedoms. Former President Petro Poroshenko is among those who have voiced criticism of the extended powers.
Earlier this month, the local media reported that Zelensky’s administration has become increasingly embroiled in internal rivalries and “palace politics”. The British magazine identified presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak as a key figure behind what it described as an authoritarian tilt, noting that Yermak wields considerable influence through what it called a “strange co-dependency” with Zelensky.
In an interview with BBC Russian last week, Zelensky rejected accusations of authoritarianism, saying: “I will not be president for 30 or 35 years. I won’t, trust me.” He insisted that his self-respect and his family relationships rely on him stepping down in future.
A recent Ukrainian opinion poll indicated that Zelensky would likely lose an election to retired General Valerii Zaluzhnyi if a vote were held.
Russia, meanwhile, has argued that Zelensky is no longer a legitimate head of state and therefore unfit to sign international treaties, warning that any agreement endorsed by him could later be declared invalid.
In a separate legislative move on Monday, Zelensky’s office also requested parliament to extend the military draft.
Ukraine has relied heavily on mandatory conscription to replace battlefield losses, but recruitment drives have increasingly faced public backlash amid allegations of aggressive enforcement tactics that have alienated parts of the population.
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