Zelenskyy signs law permitting deployment of Ukrainian Armed Forces abroad during martial law

This was reported on the Verkhovna Rada’s website.

On March 17, 2024, the law was returned with Zelenskyy’s signature.

The document amends the laws On the Armed Forces of Ukraine and On the Procedure for Sending Units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to Other States. It allows Ukrainian units to be deployed abroad during martial law to ensure security, defense, and repel aggression against Ukraine, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

During martial law, this law applies to Armed Forces units that had already been deployed abroad before it came into force and remained in another country’s territory.

Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada comment

MP Iryna Friz told Espreso that the relevant draft law will apply to all branches of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with a particular focus on the Navy. It establishes a legislative framework for the presence of units during martial law, addressing a previously unregulated aspect.

"Now, this issue has received the necessary legal foundation, ensuring that all our military personnel will be stationed there on fully legitimate grounds," the MP stated.

She added that the law applies to all countries except the aggressor state, Russia, with the duration of stay determined by the Ministry of Defense's regulations.

• On January 15, the Verkhovna Rada passed draft law No. 12378 in its entirety, addressing the deployment of Armed Forces units abroad during martial law.