Ukraine's Shift to Winter Time
In the early hours of October 25, Ukraine will revert to winter time by setting clocks back one hour at 4:00 AM. This adjustment means the night of October 25 will last an extra hour, while evenings will grow darker an hour earlier. Most European countries will make the same change on the same date, so the time difference between Kyiv and cities like Berlin, Warsaw, and Paris will remain unchanged—with Ukraine staying one hour ahead.
Modern devices such as smartphones and computers will automatically update the time if their time zone settings are correct. However, analog clocks will require manual adjustment. Train schedules by Ukrzaliznytsia already account for the time change, so trains running through 4:00 AM will arrive according to the new time. Additionally, night shifts during the clock change will be extended by an hour, and employers are required to compensate workers accordingly, including extra pay for nighttime hours.
Legislative Efforts to Adopt Permanent Winter Time
Back in 2020, a bill titled 'On Time Calculation in Ukraine' (No. 4201) was introduced to the Verkhovna Rada by Ruslan Stefanchuk, proposing that Ukraine remain permanently on winter time (UTC+2). The parliament approved the bill on July 16, 2024, and Stefanchuk signed it on August 21, 2024, forwarding it to the president. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky neither signed nor vetoed the law, and with the veto deadline passed, the legislation has yet to come into force.
In autumn 2024, the BBC reported on the president's lack of signature. Parliamentary representatives explained the delay was to avoid offending Speaker Stefanchuk. Critics of the bill cited practical difficulties, especially in eastern Ukraine, while supporters pointed out that most of Ukraine lies within the UTC+2 time zone. The National Academy of Sciences also backed the move. Stefanchuk emphasized that abolishing daylight saving time would create a clear distinction between Ukrainian and Russian time zones, as Kyiv currently shares the same time as Moscow during summer, whereas Russian-controlled areas use Moscow time year-round.
The presidential website hosts petitions urging the completion of the permanent winter time adoption process, including one submitted in July 2026. The next scheduled clock change will occur on the night of March 28, 2027, when clocks will spring forward by one hour.
Like many European nations, Ukraine practices clock changes twice annually to adjust for daylight saving time. However, the debate over establishing permanent winter time is gaining momentum, as it could simplify daily life by eliminating the need for biannual clock shifts. The current stalemate, due to the president's unsigned bill, highlights ongoing discussions and the need for further coordination between Ukraine's legislative and executive branches.