Will we change the clocks again? What awaits Ukraine with the transition to winter time

Autumn is approaching, and the pressing question is: Will we turn the clocks back again? Ukrainians hoped that this ritual would remain a thing of the past, but unfortunately, in 2025, the tradition will resume.

In October 2024, we finally got rid of the seasonal time change. The Verkhovna Rada adopted bill No. 4201, which proposed leaving Ukraine on permanent winter time (GMT+2) without needing an annual clock change. This document went through all stages of consideration and received the support of deputies. In the fall, Ukrainians seemed not to need to change the clocks for the first time in a long period.

However, the situation has changed. President Volodymyr Zelensky did not sign the bill within the specified period and did not veto it, leaving the document without regard to its validity period. As a result, it remained unofficial and did not become a law. Thus, in the spring of 2025, Ukrainians again turned the clocks forward, and they will have to turn them back in the fall.

Now, it is essential to understand that it will be impossible to restore this bill. The time allotted for its consideration has passed, and the procedure does not allow resubmission of the same document. If Ukraine desires to abandon the seasonal time change, it will have to create a new law from the very beginning and go through all the stages of its consideration and voting again.

Therefore, do not forget the reminder on your calendar: on the last Sunday of October, the clocks will need to be turned back one hour again.