War in Ukraine: Kyiv votes in first reading for the draft law on military mobilization

After nearly two years of war with Russia, Ukraine’s parliament voted in first reading on Wednesday for a controversial military mobilization bill that would allow the army to replenish its ranks, MPs said. A total of 243 elected officials voted for this document, with the required minimum of 226, several parliamentarians wrote on social networks.

However, for the text to be adopted, it must be subject to parliamentary debate, proposed amendments and a second reading vote, a procedure that could take several weeks. Then President Vladimir Zelensky will have to make it public.

The mobilization debate has been raging in Ukraine for several weeks. The Ukrainian army has suffered losses, the extent of which are kept secret, and today, unlike at the start of the conflict, it is struggling to find volunteers for the front.

Demobilization is not mentioned

The bill prepared by the government was supposed to be considered in parliament in January, but deputies eventually sent the text for revision. The document voted on Wednesday provides for simplification of the enrollment procedure and the introduction of sanctions for those who resist. However, unlike the previous draft, it stipulates that these sanctions must be approved by the court.

However, according to critics, this does not solve the problem of demobilizing those who have been at the front for a long time. In December, Vladimir Zelensky said that the army proposed to mobilize up to 500 thousand additional people.