**Ukraine’s Martial Law: What You Need to Know**
For nearly three years, Ukraine has been living under martial law. This special legal status was introduced on February 24, 2022, when Russia invaded the country.
**What is Martial Law?**
Martial law is a state of emergency where military rule takes over. In Ukraine’s case, it means restrictions on certain rights and freedoms to help fight off the Russian invasion. The exact specifics depend on the country imposing it.
**Current Restrictions:**
* Elections are suspended until martial law ends.
* Military-aged men (18-60 years old) are restricted from leaving the country unless granted an exception.
* Nighttime curfews keep people off the streets at night.
* Financial caps prevent most money from leaving Ukraine.
**Will Martial Law End with a Ceasefire?**
A ceasefire alone is unlikely to convince Ukrainian officials to end martial law. The government needs additional security guarantees before lifting restrictions. If lifted too quickly, it could lead to an outflow of people and money that may compromise Ukraine’s ability to defend itself if the peace agreement falls apart.
**What Happens When Martial Law Ends?**
When restrictions lift, there will likely be a rapid outflow of people and money that were previously barred from leaving the country. A significant number of Ukrainians (around 20%) say they would want to move abroad if travel restrictions were lifted.
**The Future of Martial Law:**
Ukraine’s parliament will decide whether it is safe to lift martial law and then choose not to extend it when it expires or vote to lift it. The exact timing and structure of martial law’s end will depend on the outcome of ongoing peace negotiations, including Ukraine’s confidence in whether Russia is likely to attack again.
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