Zelenskyy has given MPs a choice – the Rada or the front line: what does this mean?
Zelenskyy made this statement during a meeting with journalists.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that under martial law, MPs will have to make a choice – either to serve the state in parliament or on the front line. According to him, if an MP does not serve the state in the Verkhovna Rada, then they must serve it on the front line.
The Head of State emphasised that MPs who remain in Kyiv and work in parliament must fully perform their duties. At the same time, he stated that he is ready to discuss with parliamentary representatives amendments to the law on mobilisation that would allow MPs to enter military service.
“MPs will have to either serve the state in parliament or serve the state on the front line,” said Zelenskyy.
The president’s statement came against a backdrop of disciplinary issues and voting problems in the Verkhovna Rada. According to media reports, Andriy Motovilovets, first deputy head of the Servant of the People faction, stated that around 40 MPs were prepared to resign. Some reports cited a wider range – 40 to 60 MPs.
Among the reasons cited in the public sphere were political fatigue, low salaries and fear of anti-corruption bodies amid talk of possible “envelope payments”. It was against this backdrop that Zelenskyy voiced his position that, in wartime, government officials must fulfil their role in defending the country.
The President also mentioned another theoretical option – amending the law and holding elections – but stressed that he considers this impossible during wartime. Therefore, his basic position boils down to two scenarios: either working in parliament or serving in the military.
