
Olha Stefanishyna at the European Parliament: Ukraine ready to present reform roadmaps to EU member states and European Commission
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice, Olha Stefanishyna, spoke at a special session of the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs at the invitation of its chair, Ilhan Kyuchyuk.
In her address, she outlined Ukraine’s key achievements in judicial reform, transparency, accountability, and overall progress within the EU accession negotiation process. The session took the form of an open exchange of views with European parliamentarians.
“For Ukraine, reforms and state transformation amid war are not only about fulfilling our society’s aspirations but also a vital step to ensure the state’s functioning. Ukraine is not just about the war. Above all, it is about people, resilience, the ability to overcome challenges, and returning to the European family despite all difficulties. It is not only the Ukrainian Government or President driving the country towards the European Union, but the entire nation,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
She noted that Ukraine had finalised and preliminarily adopted at the national level drafts of three strategic documents outlining the vision for the country’s transformation until its EU membership.
“This vision is embodied in three Roadmaps: on the rule of law, public administration reform, and the functioning of democratic institutions. Additionally, we have proposed an Action Plan to protect the rights of persons belonging to Ukraine’s national minorities. This document was developed through broad dialogue with minority representatives while also addressing key issues raised by one of the EU Member States. We are finalising preparations to present these Roadmaps to EU Member States and the European Commission. Hundreds, even thousands, of civil servants, experts, Ukrainian MPs, and colleagues from the expert communities of EU Member States worked on them in collaboration and coordination with the European Commission,” emphasised Olha Stefanishyna.
She stressed that major efforts to transform these areas began long before Ukraine received EU candidate status.
As early as 2016, following Venice Commission recommendations, Ukraine transitioned from a four-tier to a three-tier judicial system and established a new Supreme Court. The High Anti-Corruption Court was created, with judges selected through transparent competitive processes. Judicial governance institutions were significantly reformed: the High Council of Justice and the High Qualification Commission of Judges were formed in full compliance with European standards. Members of these bodies were appointed through merit-based procedures aligned with international standards, ensuring independence, integrity, and professional competence.
Additionally, the Constitutional Court was reformed, with new qualification criteria and a transparent judicial selection process that included international experts.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the high level of digitalisation of public services, which significantly reduced corruption risks.
Over the past decade, Ukraine has built one of the most robust anti-corruption systems among EU candidate countries, with a fully operational institutional framework, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, and a specialised anti-corruption court, noted Olha Stefanishyna.
“Since 2019, over 210 verdicts have been issued in high-level corruption cases involving nearly 300 individuals. Moreover, special confiscation of illicit assets has already returned over UAH 704 million to the state, and this is just the beginning,” she reported.
According to her, Ukraine’s transformation continues: “We are focused on enhancing institutional capacity, efficiency, and integrity – these are the foundation of our Roadmaps. We view institutional integrity and efficiency as a key asset.”
Separately, Olha Stefanishyna expressed gratitude for the European Union’s support in establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. She also called for continued efforts to enforce and strengthen sanctions and to utilise frozen russian assets: “I am deeply grateful that we can count on your support in all our endeavours.”