Rule of Law as the Foundation of European Integration: Progress on Reforms and Next Steps Discussed In Kyiv

Rule of Law as the Foundation of European Integration: Progress on Reforms and Next Steps Discussed In Kyiv

On 13 May 2026, the high-level event "Rule of Law Roadmap: One Year After Commitment" took place in Kyiv bringing together representatives of public authorities, parliament, the judiciary, civil society, business community, and Ukraine's international partners. Participants discussed progress in implementing the Roadmap, key challenges, key challenges and future priorities for reforms in the areas of justice, fight against corruption and protection of fundamental rights, as well as the importance of the rule of law for economic recovery, investor confidence and Ukraine's progress towards European Union membership.

Particular attention was paid to the practical implementation of reforms, strengthening institutional capacity, and the need to ensure the sustainability of reforms amidst a full-scale war.

"Despite the full-scale war, Ukraine has not put reforms on hold. On the contrary, it is now that we are laying the necessary foundations as a future Member State of the European Union. The rule of law in this process is the basis of trust between the state, society, business, and international partners. In this context, the Rule of Law Roadmap, which was adopted last year, is one of the key instruments in preparing Ukraine for EU membership. It is the ability of state institutions to work together to bring about real change in practice, maintain institutional stability, and strengthen trust of the society that will determine Ukraine's further progress on the path to the EU," said Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.

The discussion took place as part of the celebrations marking the first anniversary of the adoption - on 14 May 2025 - by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, of the Rule of Law Roadmap - a comprehensive strategic document that sets out priority reform areas in the fields of the judiciary, prevention and fight against corruption, protection of fundamental rights, as well as justice, freedom and security. The document forms part of Ukraine's commitments under the EU accession process and reflects the state's political will to consistently align national institutions, legislation and practices with EU standards and values.

One year after the Roadmap's adoption, its implementation has entered a crucial phase of practical implementation. Participants stressed that at this stage, it is particularly important to move from political commitments to tangible results, while ensuring coordinated action among state institutions, civil society, business, and international partners.

"The rule of law is one of the key areas of focus for Ukraine on its path to EU membership. Despite all the challenges posed by the war, we continue to move forward: we are taking the necessary decisions, working on the implementation of the reform roadmap, and laying the foundations to ensure that, after victory, democratic institutions function as effectively as possible," said Oleksandr Korniienko, First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, in a special address during the event.

As part of the event, participants were addressed by Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine; Gaël Veyssière, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Ukraine; and Heiko Thoms, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine.

"Since the Revolution of Dignity, Ukraine has firmly chosen its European path and committed itself to an ambitious reform agenda. Strengthening the rule of law has been at the heart of this transformation and remains essential for Ukraine's progress towards EU membership. Ukraine has already undertaken profound reforms of its justice system and public institutions. Significant progress has been achieved in building and strengthening the anti-corruption institutions. Important work still lies ahead - including the adoption of key legislation and further strengthening of institutions through effective judicial practice. I am convinced that Ukraine will continue to take decisive steps in this direction," said EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová.

H.E. Gaël Veyssière, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Ukraine, noted that for France, which holds the G7 presidency this year, support for Ukraine remains one of the key priorities of its foreign policy. This encompasses not only security and financial aspects, but also assistance in strengthening state institutions and developing the rule of law, in particular through EU Project Pravo-Justice, which is being implemented by Expertise France.

"The rule of law is one of the keys to Ukraine's future EU membership. That is precisely why the Rule of Law Roadmap is of paramount importance: not only is it a strategic document but also a practical step-by-step guide for further reforms. It is important to maintain the pace of its implementation, ensure the sustainability of the results already achieved, and move forward - consistently and in close coordination with European partners," he said.

H.E. Heiko Thoms, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine, underscored that Germany is one of the largest and remains a steadfast supporter of Ukraine - financially, militarily and politically. For Germany, Ukraine's future lies within the European Union - German support to Ukraine - such as through its 3*E4U project implemented by GIZ and co-funded with the European Union - helps Ukraine to strengthen the rule of law and therefore resilience of the Ukrainian state and alignment with European standards. He added:

"The Rule of Law Roadmap is much more than yet another reform document - it is an expression of Ukraine's commitment to strive for a more resilient and free state amidst the fight against the Russian aggression. As partner and ally, Germany shares this commitment. We are proud to support Ukrainians on their path toward EU membership and encourage all stakeholders - state institutions, members of civil society and of the business community - to continue implementing substantial reforms in a collaborative spirit. A strong, independent judiciary and effective anti-corruption framework are not only fundamental for future EU accession. They are paramount to preserve and strengthen Ukrainian democracy that Ukrainians are so bravely fighting for."

The programme featured three thematic panel discussions focusing on the political, economic and societal dimensions of the rule of law in the context of Ukraine's European integration.

During the first panel, participants discussed the rule of law as a key element of Ukraine's European integration, as well as the progress in implementation of judicial and anti-corruption reforms. The discussion focused on the practical implementation of reforms envisaged by the Rule of Law Roadmap, institutional barriers and the need for consistent political leadership and accountability throughout the next stage of the reform process.

The second panel addressed the importance of the rule of law for economic recovery, investor confidence, and the development of Ukrainian business. Participants emphasised that an independent judiciary, effective anti-corruption mechanisms, and a predictable legal environment are essential for attracting investment, mobilising reconstruction financing, ensuring access to EU markets, and supporting long-term economic growth.

The third panel focused on rule of law reforms as a sustained societal demand. The discussion covered, among others, public trust in justice, the role of civil society in monitoring reforms, and the importance of continuing reforms under martial law. It was underlined that public trust is not only an indicator of the sustainability of reforms in wartime, but also one of the markers of Ukraine's readiness for EU membership.

"One year of the Roadmap implementation has confirmed that Ukraine is capable of turning political commitments into concrete actions. The Roadmap is an extremely ambitious document - and the two years remaining until its completion will require even greater coordination between all the institutions and partners involved. To succeed in the negotiation process with the EU, it is not enough to adopt isolated decisions - it is important to ensure a comprehensive, consistent, and irreversible transformation of the justice system. The role of international technical assistance is to strengthen the state's institutional capacity. However, the synergy of the government, parliament, and civil society around a common goal remains decisive," said Oksana Tsymbrivska, Team Leader of EU Project Pravo-Justice implemented by Expertise France.

"EU accession is not just about ticking boxes on a reform agenda; it is about transforming the country. Our programme is here to support the efforts of our partners by providing expertise, experience, and opportunities to exchange best practices to accelerate Ukraine's development on its path to EU membership", - Artem Shaipov, Team Leader for Legal and Policy Advice, Strengthening Ukraine's EU Alignment in the Rule of Law Programme (3*E4U) funded by the EU and the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by GIZ.

The event also featured special videos on the implementation of rule of law reforms, views of citizens from Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa, and perspectives from business representatives on the importance of the rule of law for the development of entrepreneurship in Ukraine.

In her concluding remarks, Liudmyla Suhak, Acting Minister of Justice of Ukraine, emphasised the importance of further coordination among all stakeholders to ensure the practical implementation of the Roadmap and achieve tangible results in the area of the rule of law.

"The government's adoption of the Roadmap has been one of the key milestones in Ukraine's European integration process. However, its true value will be determined by the results of its implementation. It is now crucial to ensure coordinated action by all authorities and partners so that the planned reforms are put into practice. This is not simply a matter of fulfilling commitments to the EU, but of establishing the rule of law, ensuring a transparent and independent justice system, effectively combating corruption and protecting human rights," she emphasised.

The event was moderated by journalists Tetiana Danylenko, Ukrainska Pravda, and Serhii Sydorenko, European Pravda. Hromadske served as the event media partner.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, in cooperation with the EU Project Pravo-Justice implemented by Expertise France, and the Strengthening Ukraine's EU Accession in the Rule of Law (3*E4U) Programme implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Union.