On Monday 26 October, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) voted in favour of bills introduced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to prolong martial law and general mobilisation for another 90 days.
Source: broadcast of the Verkhovna Rada plenary session on 26 October
Details: A total of 293 MPs voted to prolong martial law, and 281 voted to extend mobilisation for another 90 days.
In addition, 280 MPs voted for the immediate signing of these bills by the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and their submission to the president for his signature.
Currently, martial law and general mobilisation in Ukraine are in effect until 05: 30 on 31 October 2026.
Zelenskyy proposed prolonging both periods for another 90 days, until 29 January 2027.
In December 2025, Zelenskyy stressed that the war with the Russian Federation will not end until Ukraine receives effective security guarantees and that martial law cannot be lifted until that point. When asked whether martial law could be lifted during a ceasefire, the president said:
Quote: "First of all, we all want the war to end, and only then will martial law be lifted – and that is the only way. Martial law will be lifted at the moment when Ukraine has security guarantees. Without security guarantees, this war will not truly end; we will not be able to recognise that it has ended, because there would remain a risk of renewed aggression from such a neighbour."
Background: Under previous decisions, martial law and mobilisation are in effect from 2 August to 31 October 2026. Martial law and general mobilisation have been in effect in Ukraine since 24 February 2022.
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