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Martial law extended for another 90 days

The Verkhovna Rada approved Bill No. 15401, endorsing the presidential decree extending martial law. The decision received 313 votes. Martial law will remain in force for another 90 days from 05:30 on 2 August 2026.

The decision preserves the special legal framework under which Ukraine’s state institutions, military command, regional authorities and local government operate during Russia’s full-scale war. It also maintains the temporary powers and restrictions permitted by Ukrainian law for the defence of the state.

For European partners, the vote confirms the continuity of Ukraine’s wartime governance framework. It does not suspend the operation of the Constitution or Parliament, both of which remain central to authorising and supervising measures adopted during martial law.

General mobilisation also extended

Bill No. 15402, approving the presidential decree on the continuation of general mobilisation, was supported by 311 MPs. The mobilisation period will be extended for 90 days from 2 August 2026.

The extension does not constitute a separate automatic call-up of the entire eligible population. It continues the existing legal mechanism for staffing Ukraine’s Defence Forces. Conscription procedures, military registration, exemptions and the reservation of employees whose work is considered critical remain regulated by specialised legislation and government acts.

Sanctions against Russian financial institutions

Parliament adopted Resolution No. 15366 by 312 votes, approving a decision of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council on restrictive measures against financial institutions of the Russian Federation.

The measure forms part of Ukraine’s broader effort to increase the financial isolation of the aggressor state and restrict institutions supporting Russia’s war economy.

Its practical effectiveness will depend on coordination with the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and other partners, as well as on the identification of affiliated entities and schemes used to circumvent restrictions through third countries.

Military service by conditionally released prisoners

Bill No. 15225 was adopted with 309 votes. It clarifies the legal conditions under which individuals granted conditional early release from imprisonment may sign contracts to serve in the Armed Forces.

The measure does not provide for the automatic transfer of all prisoners to military units. The procedure is subject to statutory eligibility requirements, medical fitness, the nature of the offence, a court decision and the willingness of a military unit to accept the candidate.

The implementation of the law will require effective screening, military training, discipline and human rights safeguards. Its success should therefore be assessed not only by recruitment figures, but also by conditions of service and subsequent social reintegration.

Ukraine–Türkiye Free Trade Agreement ratified

The Verkhovna Rada ratified the Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Türkiye through Bill No. 0340. The measure received 236 votes.

The agreement is intended to liberalise bilateral trade and improve market access. Ukrainian exporters may gain additional opportunities in the Turkish market, while domestic producers could face stronger competition from Turkish goods.

For European stakeholders, the agreement is relevant to Black Sea trade, supply chains, industrial cooperation and Ukraine’s wider economic integration. Its implementation should also be assessed in relation to Ukraine’s EU accession commitments and the gradual alignment of Ukrainian trade policy with the European Union’s common commercial policy.

Ukraine establishes the Order of Europe

Parliament adopted Bill No. 15359 with 271 votes, establishing the Order of Europe as a Ukrainian state decoration.

The award is intended to recognise contributions to Ukraine’s European integration, the promotion of European values and cooperation between Ukraine and European states.

The Order of Europe is a Ukrainian national award and should not be confused with an institution or official decoration of the European Union. Its public standing will depend on transparent eligibility criteria and clear justification for each award.

Child protection legislation passes first reading

The Verkhovna Rada approved Bill No. 15294 at first reading with 231 votes. The draft legislation seeks to strengthen the criminal-law protection of children, including measures addressing the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material.

The draft has not yet become law. It must be examined and amended before being submitted for a second and final parliamentary vote. A proposal to shorten the period for preparing the bill for its second reading received only 177 votes and was not approved.

Further scrutiny should focus on precise legal definitions, victim-centred safeguards, the investigation of digital offences and compatibility with relevant Council of Europe and European Union standards.

Motion to invite the State Bureau of Investigation Director fails

A proposal to invite the Director of the State Bureau of Investigation to address the Verkhovna Rada received 137 votes and therefore failed to secure the required parliamentary support.

Unsuccessful motions also form part of the parliamentary record. They indicate which oversight initiatives did not command a sufficient majority and help provide a fuller picture of political accountability within the legislature.

Prime Minister’s resignation and the constitutional consequences

In a separate decision, Parliament adopted Resolution No. 15407 accepting the resignation of Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. The resolution was supported by 258 MPs. One MP voted against, five abstained and 47 did not vote.

Under Article 115 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the resignation of the Prime Minister results in the resignation of the entire Cabinet of Ministers.

For Ukraine’s European partners, continuity during the transition will be particularly important in the areas of defence procurement, macro-financial assistance, reconstruction, energy resilience, EU accession reforms and the implementation of international agreements.

What the outgoing government reports as its record

In its presentation on the results of its work, the Cabinet lists achievements in public finance, defence production, energy, social policy, European integration and reconstruction. These figures provide context for the programmes and obligations that will be transferred to the next government.

Public finance and international support

The government reports that Ukraine received USD 47.8 billion in external budgetary support during the reporting period, including USD 19.2 billion in 2026. It also cites a new USD 8.1 billion programme with the International Monetary Fund, financing under the EU’s Ukraine Facility and international financial institution projects worth USD 19.1 billion.

According to the presentation, the state budget collected UAH 1.9 trillion in own-source revenue, while international reserves reached USD 57.3 billion. The Cabinet also reports real GDP growth of 1.8% in 2025 and a decline in inflation from 12% to 8%.

Defence and domestic production

The government states that the financial resource allocated to security and defence amounts to UAH 4.36 trillion, approximately 42% of GDP, alongside USD 38 billion in defence support from partner countries.

The presentation claims that approximately 60% of weapons used by Ukraine’s Defence Forces are produced domestically and that Ukrainian manufacturers account for 95% of the drones supplied to the military.

Energy resilience

The outgoing Cabinet reports that 1.8 GW of new capacity has been commissioned and 4.2 GW of generation restored. The transition to a new government will take place while Ukraine continues to face Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.

The next Cabinet will therefore inherit responsibility for physical protection, decentralised generation, emergency reserves, repairs and preparations for the heating season. These areas remain directly connected to European energy assistance and cross-border energy cooperation.

Social policy and European integration

The government reports a 12.1% pension indexation covering 9.5 million pensioners, the operation of 369 resilience centres and higher remuneration for social workers.

On European integration, the presentation states that Ukraine completed the screening of its legislation, opened two of the six negotiation clusters and adopted 27 laws related to the integration process.

Reconstruction and support for affected communities

According to the government, reconstruction programmes have reached approximately 500,000 people. The Cabinet reports 84,000 payments under the eRecovery programme, more than 20,000 housing certificates and additional financial support for communities located close to the front line.

Government reporting should be assessed at three levels

The amount of financing secured or the number of measures adopted does not, by itself, demonstrate that a public policy has achieved its intended effect. A comprehensive assessment should distinguish between three levels:

The change of government should therefore preserve institutional memory. The new Cabinet should receive complete information on budgetary commitments, international agreements, procurement contracts, reconstruction projects and the current status of EU accession reforms.

Why these decisions matter to European partners

The parliamentary decisions adopted on 14 July affect several areas of direct relevance to Europe:

The regional perspective: Kryvyi Rih

For Kryvyi Rih, an industrial city that continues to face Russian attacks, the extension of martial law and mobilisation means that municipal services, major employers, educational institutions, critical infrastructure and civil protection systems will continue operating under wartime conditions.

The free trade agreement with Türkiye may also affect the wider industrial region through changes in competition, exports of metallurgical products, imports of equipment and access to Black Sea logistics. Its actual impact will depend on tariff schedules, rules of origin and the ability of Ukrainian producers to use the new market opportunities.

The government transition is particularly important for the continuity of programmes supporting energy resilience, damaged infrastructure, hospitals, schools, internally displaced people and local recovery. These programmes must continue regardless of changes in the Cabinet’s personnel.

Five tests for the next government

Parliamentary responsibility continues after the vote

Passing legislation is only one part of Parliament’s role. The Verkhovna Rada must also monitor implementation, scrutinise public expenditure, question ministers and evaluate whether adopted policies achieve their stated objectives.

This responsibility becomes especially important during a change of government. The appointment of a new Cabinet should not amount merely to a replacement of officials. Candidates should present clear and measurable commitments on defence, energy, social policy, reconstruction, public finance and Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.