17/10/2025 Monitoring
Following a visit to Kyiv from 8 to 10 October 2025, the PACE Monitoring Rapporteurs for Ukraine, Damien Cottier (Switzerland, ALDE) and Saara-Sofia Sirén (Finland, EPP/CD), have welcomed the many reforms implemented by the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the functioning of the country’s democratic and rule-of-law institutions in line with European standards, but noted that important challenges remain.
“We are impressed by the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the proper functioning of their democratic institutions, and system of checks and balances, despite the ongoing full-scale aggression by the Russian Federation. We urge the authorities to maintain these efforts, strengthen parliamentary oversight, and ensure inclusive governance of the country. In this regard, we regret reports of unnecessary obstacles preventing members of the Verkhovna Rada and local self-government bodies from playing their proper role. We hope that the authorities will address these concerns, and in this context, we would like to recall PACE’s recent resolution on Ensuring that Parliamentary Assembly members can travel freely to carry out their work,” the co-rapporteurs said.
The co-rapporteurs also highlighted the remarkable progress Ukraine has made in tackling endemic corruption. They reiterated their satisfaction that legislative changes which undermined the independence of the main anti-corruption bodies had been swiftly revoked by the Verkhovna Rada over the summer following a domestic and international outcry. However, the co-rapporteurs expressed concern about reports of other actions that could affect the independence and effectiveness of these institutions. “We urge the authorities to address the concerns expressed to us. The independence of these institutions must be fully guaranteed and respected in law and in practice,” the co-rapporteurs emphasised.
Regarding the protection of human rights, the co-rapporteurs emphasised the importance of minority rights and freedom of conscience, and the need for legislation on these two sensitive issues to fully align with European standards. They therefore welcomed the authorities' efforts to address the Venice Commission's recommendations regarding the “Law on National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine” and expressed hope that the remaining recommendations regarding this law, as well as other laws affecting minority rights — such as the Education Law and the State Language Law — will soon be fully addressed.
The co-rapporteurs strongly condemned the continuous attacks on civilian infrastructure by the Russian Federation, which they witnessed first-hand on the night of 9-10 October. “These repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure violate basic principles of international humanitarian law and demonstrate the Russian Federation's blatant disregard for the human rights of Ukrainian citizens. The Russian leadership should be held fully accountable for these crimes,” said the co-rapporteurs, who intend to visit Ukraine again in 2026.
