On his official website Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says that he is against declaring martial law in the country and explains why.
In the course of the meeting with representatives of deputy factions and groups on July 22, the Head of State emphasized: ‘Calling on the government to adopt the decision on declaring martial law, people’s deputies must understand the consequences of such decision. Today, even a single inconsiderate word can cause serious aftermath.’
Petro Poroshenko emphasized that Ukraine was already in the state of hostilities and had to defend its territory. For this end, efficient army and its proper maintenance are essential which is impossible under martial law. ‘Under martial law it is forbidden to supply weapons and dual-use products. And we must win the war,’ the President said.
Also, under martial law, the support of international financial institutions is impossible. ‘The IMF doesn’t give money to countries at war. Nobody thinks about it when talking about the martial law,’ the President said.
The Head of State also draws attention to the fact that in the course of hostilities, the law protects not only the country which suffers from aggression, but also the country-aggressor. ‘Martial law is a situation when there is an opposite party. And this opposite party has the same rights. It can be supported by other states, it is under the protection of the international law,’ the President said.
At the same time, Petro Poroshenko stressed that currently the government was willing to make the world recognise the so-called ‘Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics’ terrorist organisations. ‘We are persistently working for everyone who kills Ukrainian soldiers and civilians to be recognised terrorist and financial or any other support to terrorists to be recognised crime against humanity,’ he noted.
