Ukraine’s parliament on March 21 passed a draft law that introduces the legal definition of a “strategically important road” that is important for the defense of the country.
A list of such roads is to be drawn up by the Cabinet of Ministers, according to the text of the bill. The legislation was submitted to parliament by Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.
According to the bill, highways that link military bases and areas of strategic importance can be listed as strategically important, regardless of their form of ownership, if they are required for military deployments or evacuations of civilians.
Under conditions of martial law, such highways are to be used, repaired and defended in accordance with a special strategy, which is also to be drawn up by the cabinet.
However, in peacetime, there will be no special restrictions on the use of such roads, the law says.
“With this document we will simplify all procedures for increasing the defense potential of our state and for the needs of Ukrainian army,” Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan said while presenting the bill in the Verkhovna Rada on the evening of March 21.
The bill was passed at the second attempt, with 231 lawmakers voting “for.” The bill was approved at first reading on Jan. 17.
Under the 2017 state budget, the government allocated Hr 35 billion ($1.3 billion) for road repairs throughout the country, an increase on the previous year’s figure of 54 percent.
