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Zelenskiy Submits Drafts On Extending Martial Law, Mobilization Amid Hints He Will Reshuffle Leadership

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service February 05, 2024

Ukrainian President Voldoymyr Zelenskiy on February 5 submitted to his country's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, draft laws to extend martial law and the military mobilization in the country as Russia's full-scale invasion nears the two-year mark.

Zelenskiy's drafts provide for the extension of the two measures for another 90 days from February 14, in line with the provisions of Ukraine's constitution. This will be the 10th time since February 24, 2022, when the Kremlin launched its invasion, that the Verkhovna Rada will vote on the two measures.

The extensions, if approved by Ukrainian lawmakers, will overlap with Ukraine's presidential election cycle. A vote would have been held next month but is constitutionally prohibited from taking place when the country is under martial law.

In November, Zelenskiy strongly hinted at a potential delay of the presidential poll, saying it would be "irresponsible" to hold it under wartime conditions.

The two drafts were sent to lawmakers a day after Zelenskiy confirmed in an interview with Italian broadcaster RAI that he is considering operating changes among Ukraine's military and political leadership amid widespread speculation that he is about to dismiss General Valeriy Zaluzhniy, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's military.

Zelenskiy, who has been reported to have a tense relationship with Zaluzhniy, said the changes he is considering are not aimed at individuals but regard "the direction of the country's leadership."

"When we talk about this, I mean a replacement of a series of state leaders, not just in a single sector like the military. If we want to win we must all push in the same direction, convinced of victory, we cannot be discouraged, let ourselves down, we must have the right positive energy," he said in the interview.

"I have something serious in mind, which is not about a single person but about the direction of the country's leadership," Zelenskiy added.

Polls show that Zaluzhniy is as popular, if not more so, than Zelenskiy, and some experts fear that were Zelenskiy to oust Zaluzhniy it would demoralize some of Ukraine troops and undermine national unity.

With reporting by RAI and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskiy-ukraine-martial- law-mobilization-leadership/32806028.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.