'We need the corps system' — Zelensky approves plan to restructure army
Ukraine's Armed Forces are transitioning to a new organizational structure intended to modernize the army, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 3.
Reforms
From drone simulators to civics: Ukraine reforms school curriculum to protect next generation from Russian threat
In a small town in Kyiv Oblast, 10th grader Alina Marynenko just beat her entire class to be the most accurate shooter on an AK-47 simulator. "Fourteen out of fifteen! I set a record! We beat the boys!" Marynenko yells out to her class. Marynenko and her classmates fired the
Defense Minister Umerov dismisses top official who stood up to him
Ukraine’s lengthy efforts to clean up its weapons procurement are in danger of being unwound as the Defense Ministry strangleholds the Defense Procurement Agency, say anti-corruption activists and lawmakers. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Jan. 24 that he would not renew the contract of Maryna Bezrukova, the head
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 4
Editor’s note: This is issue 4 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from Dec. 2-Dec. 8, 2024. This newsletter was until recently titled “Ukrainian Economy in Brief." The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 2
Editor’s note: This is issue 2 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from Nov. 18-24, 2024. This newsletter was until recently titled “Ukrainian Economy in Brief." The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs.
Zelensky presents resilience plan: 'Ukraine may need to outlive someone in Moscow to achieve all the goals'
The individual points were focused on the country's unity, front-line situation, arms, finances, energy, security, communities, human capital, cultural sovereignty, and veterans, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on his Telegram channel.
Ukraine could join Union by late 2029, EU official says
The European Commission has recently praised Ukraine’s progress on critical reforms, including those related to the rule of law, judicial system, and anti-corruption measures, though it emphasizes that further reforms are still required.
Zelensky signs bill on customs reform into law
The legislation, approved by the parliament last month, was pushed through after prolonged pressure from Western partners and Ukrainian business associations. The reform is also a necessary step toward Kyiv's accession to the EU.
New customs reform aims to tackle Ukraine’s ‘single biggest cash cow’ of corrupt money in politics
At a time when state coffers are starving for money to fund Ukraine’s survival, illegal smuggling is costing the country billions of dollars a year in lost tax payments. Through bribery or lying, smugglers avoid an estimated $2.4 to $3 billion in customs payments each year as they
Ukraine's defense procurement agencies should be kept separate, NATO reaffirms
The NATO statement came days after Umerov said the ministry was planning to merge the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) and the State Rear Operator (DOT) into one agency.
Top Ukrainian anti-corruption official fired over pressure on whistleblower
Gizo Uglava, the second-in-command at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), has been fired following a probe into his alleged pressure on a whistleblower, the bureau said on Sept. 3. Semen Kryvonos, head of the NABU, dismissed his first deputy chief Uglava for violating a public servant's oath, ethics
NABU scandal deepens: Deputy chief slams boss after recommendation on his ouster
The future of Ukraine's top anti-corruption agency hung in the balance as its second-in-command lashed out at his boss after a disciplinary commission recommended firing or reprimanding him. Gizo Uglava, first deputy chief of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), continued to deny accusations of wrongdoing as he claimed
Legal violations identified in probe into NABU leak scandal, top anti-corruption official says
The whistleblower, whose name is unknown, revealed information on the NABU allegedly leaking case material to suspects in a high-profile corruption investigation, and warning them about upcoming searches.
EU assessing controversial draft law on corruption penalties, deputy PM says
The European Commission is assessing a draft law that proposes controversial changes to Ukraine's criminal code, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna told Interfax Ukraine on July 19.
Top anti-corruption official promises results of probe into whistleblower scandal this week
An internal probe into alleged pressure on a whistleblower at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine will be completed this week, Semen Kryvonos, chief of the anti-graft agency also known by its acronym NABU, told a parliamentary committee probing the affair. "The deadline (for the probe into the pressure on
Constitutional Court contest not ideal but praised as fair and transparent
Ukraine faces yet another test in its efforts to meet conditions for joining the European Union – the creation of a credible and trustworthy Constitutional Court. The ongoing selection of new Constitutional Court judges under new rules is in its final stages – the judges have already been chosen and need to
Ukraine's parliament passes law adapting education policy to match EU standards
Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote that the law will help introduce a number of changes to help university students have more flexibility and autonomy in higher education.
Bloomberg: EU set to approve Ukrainian reform plan in May, unlocking billions in aid
The EU is set to approve Ukraine's reform plan in May, unlocking an additional 1.9 billion euros ($2.04 billion) in financial aid during late spring.
Freedom House: Ukraine on democratic path amid rising authoritarianism in region
Ukraine is one of the few among the group of 29 countries evaluated by Freedom House in the Nations in Transit 2024 report that is moving successfully toward democracy amid growing anti-democratic trends.
Defense Ministry creates new role of military ombudsman
Ukrainian military personnel will soon have access to a military ombudsman, ensuring they can report violations of their rights, the Defense Ministry announced on April 3.
Income declaration suggests Shmyhal's family earns 8 times his salary
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal's income declaration for 2023 revealed his earnings consisted of a Hr 974,845 ($25,000) salary, while his wife and daughter earned Hr 7,866,994 ($200,800), Ukrinform reported on March 30.
European Council urges swift adoption of Ukraine's negotiation framework
European Council urged to "swiftly adopt" the negotiating frameworks for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova after the first day of the Euro Summit on March 21.
Shmyhal submits Ukraine reform plan to European Commission
"This is an important step for the implementation of reforms and financial stability on Ukraine's path to the EU," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on X.
European Commission proposes draft framework for Ukraine's EU accession talks
The proposed frameworks detail the "principles governing the accession negotiations, (the) substance of the negotiations, and (the) negotiations procedure."
Ukraine’s path to EU accession paved with reforms
When European leaders agreed to Ukraine’s accession talks in December 2023, the historic move was hailed in Kyiv as a recognition of years of struggle to get closer to the bloc since the EuroMaidan Revolution. The agreement came after a European Commission decision in November 2023 recommending talks begin
Investigators destroy case files linked to pro-Kremlin politicians amid Russian invasion
Ukraine’s State Investigation Bureau destroyed secret materials in several major criminal investigations immediately after Russia launched its all-out invasion on Feb. 24, the Prosecutor General’s Office said, as cited on July 8 by Iryna Romaliyska, a journalist at Prague-based television channel Current Time TV. The Prosecutor General’s
Ukraine's soldiers may soon get better, warmer boots
It looks like Ukraine's military can soon expect a new goodie to stay warm in the nasty weather. The Armed Forces are currently completing field tests of new soldier boots for wintertime. These are expected to outmatch standard-issue models produced by Ukrainian company Talan, a major contractor for the military.
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