Poroshenko proposes declaring martial law for 30 days

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will propose that the Verkhovna Rada declare martial law for 30 days starting from 09.00 on November 28, 2018.

The head of state said this in a statement that was broadcast on his Facebook page.

"Today, the parliament will consider the issue of extreme importance concerning your protection, your security, the security of Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, today, as president, as supreme commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, I have fulfilled my constitutional duty and a few hours ago, with my decree, I introduced martial law on the whole territory of Ukraine from 09.00 on November 28," Poroshenko said.

According to him, martial law will be introduced for 30 days from 09.00 on November 28.

Poroshenko stressed that presidential elections would take place in Ukraine as initially planned, on March 31, 2019.

"It is in December, in early December, that I will submit a draft decision to parliament on the date of the presidential elections that have to be held in accordance with the Constitution on March 31, 2019," Poroshenko said.

On November 25, Russian ships opened fire on three Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait and then seized them. According to the latest data, six Ukrainian sailors were wounded in the attack.

In this regard, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council proposed that President Poroshenko declare martial law for 60 days.

On November 26, Poroshenko signed a decree enacting the NSDC decision on the introduction of martial law in Ukraine from November 26 to January 25 and tabled a bill in the Verkhovna Rada with the proposal to adopt his decree.